Premier League target Jean-Matteo Bahoya (20) speaks on current status at Eintracht Frankfurt | OneFootball

While it remains to be seen if he can resist the pull of Premier League and Ligue 1 sides, Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Jean-Matteo Bahoya didn’t have to think twice when the Saudi Pro League came calling this summer. The 20-year-old feels comfortable with his current Bundesliga club, at which he continues to thrive.

Despite not getting his name on the scoresheet since matchday two, the French U21 international’s estimated market value continues to rise. Transfermarkt upgraded Bahoya’s value from €17m to €25m in their October 2025 update. The former Angers academy man continues to count as “one-to-watch”.

In an interview with L’Équipe, Bahoya spoke on his decision not to entertain the notion of joining Saudi powerhouse Al-Ittihad Club when offered this summer. The Jeddah-based outfit offered Eintracht upwards of €60m for their prospect. Bahoya simply wasn’t interested. 

“I honestly didn’t hesitate for a moment,” Bahoya told the French publication. “It was a logical decision. I want to have a great season here and compete in the Champions League. We’ll see what happens after this season. In any rate, Frankfurt was the ideal place for me and I’m happy I stayed.”

Bahoya didn’t exactly take off immediately upon moving to the RheinMainAdler. Upon arriving in January 2024 on an €8m transfer, the then-teenager struggled with the language barrier. Thankfully, French teammates Niels Nkounkou and Eric Junior Dina Ebimbe (both currently on loans at other clubs) helped him out.

“At 18, after almost ten years at your club, it’s not easy to move to another club,” Bahoya admitted. “When I arrived here, I spoke neither English nor German. Nkounkou and Ebimbe helped me a lot. I owe my ability to flourish on the pitch to the French-speaking players in the locker room, who give me lots of good advice. I’ve settled into the city and the club now, but when I arrived, it wasn’t easy.“

Will Bahoya be moving back to his native country or perhaps (courtesy of his enhanced English skills) potentially head over to the Isle? One factor potentially keeping him in Germany might be the fact that some members of his family also joined him from Angers nearly two years ago. Bahoya’s younger brother Paul signed on with the Eintracht U17s the same month Jean-Matteo moved

Paul Bahoya earned promotion to the SGE U19s last January and might be able to make the leap to the reserves soon. Jean-Matteo certainly believes in his younger sibling, who is still only 17-years-of-age.

“He has to work hard for it, but he definitely has what it takes to move up from the U19 team,” Jean-Matteo said of Paul. “I would love that and am really looking forward to that. Of course, there’s nothing better than playing with your brother.”

GGFN | Peter Weis