Adi Hütter confirms Elias Baum will remain at Eintracht Frankfurt | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Adi Hütter has confirmed that promising right-back Elias Baum will not leave the club this summer. Recent reports linked Borussia Dortmund with a potential move for the Frankfurt academy graduate. New BVB sporting director Nils Ole Book knows Baum well from the defender’s successful loan spell with SV Elversberg during the 2024/25 campaign.

Baum strengthened his case by setting up Jonathan Burkardt’s winning goal in the 1-0 win over the third-tier side SV Waldhof Mannheim. Hütter was also pleased with the 20-year-old’s defensive contribution in the latest pre-season victory.

“We will keep him here,” Hütter said following Frankfurt’s 1-0 preseason victory over SV Waldhof Mannheim. “I see him as a dynamic full-back who came through our own academy and is also performing very well in training. He was very committed, did many good things and also fulfilled his defensive responsibilities.” 

The declaration should bring the persistent speculation surrounding Baum’s future to an end for the time being.

Baum developed into one of the 2. Bundesliga’s best full-backs at Elversberg, but struggled to establish himself upon returning to Frankfurt. Injuries disrupted his 2025/26 campaign, during which he managed only 71 minutes of Bundesliga football.

The Germany youth international was unable to secure a regular role under either Dino Toppmöller or Albert Riera. His situation now appears set to change under Hütter.

The new Frankfurt coach has repeatedly praised Baum’s dynamism, determination and performances in training. Baum’s strong preseason has also helped convince Eintracht to place their pursuit of another right-back on hold.

Hütter’s latest comments leave little room for interpretation. Frankfurt intend to retain Baum and provide him with an opportunity to compete for meaningful playing time during the coming campaign.

The prospect of a Dortmund move may have offered Baum Champions League football and a reunion with Book. The pathway at Frankfurt, however, presently appears clearer.

With Hütter publicly backing him and confirming that no transfer will take place, Baum now has the chance to revive his Eintracht career at the club where his development began.

GGFN | Peter Weis