Napoli are showing strong interest in Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the club has already opened talks with the player’s representatives.
Atubolu has established himself as Freiburg’s first-choice goalkeeper over the last two seasons. He has kept 60 clean sheets and holds a club record of 510 minutes without conceding.
The 23-year-old is seen by Napoli as a long-term partner and competitor for Alex Meret as the club prepares for the Champions League and Serie A campaigns. Freiburg reportedly values him at €18 million.
Atubolu was born to a Nigerian father and a German mother. He is among the players targeted by Eric Chelle for the Super Eagles, but he has shown little interest in the Nigerian national team project, preferring to pursue a future with Germany.
He has represented Germany at four youth levels: U17, U19, U20, and U21.
Last season, he earned a 6.99 rating on FotMob. He had a 62% save percentage, an 89% high claim rate, and kept 10 clean sheets in 26 matches (84% clean sheet rate).
Atubolu conceded 37 goals, saved two out of two penalties, made three errors that led to goals, and acted as a sweeper-keeper 10 times.
He also completed 203 accurate long balls, with a 42% long ball accuracy rate.
