Borussia Dortmund keeping tabs on resurgent Eintracht Frankfurt fullback Elias Baum | OneFootball

Eintracht Frankfurt fullback Elias Baum’s strong preseason has his former sporting director considering bringing him to his own Bundesliga club. In this case, new Borussia Dortmund personnel executive Nils Ole Book – who knows Baum from his time at Elversberg – is keeping tabs on the 20-year-old. Sky Germany – as relayed by transfermarkt.de – reports that Book considers Baum a potential replacement for Yan Couto.

Baum subsequently established himself as one of German football’s most promising young full-backs during his time working under Book in the Saarland, increasing his estimated market value from €1 million to €8 million during the 2024/25 2. Bundesliga campaign. 

The 20-year-old struggled after returning to Frankfurt, however, registering only 71 Bundesliga minutes last season. His limited role contributed to his market value falling to €4 million and prompted links with other Bundesliga clubs to dry up. Heading into the new season, the links that cropped last summer are suddenly surfacing again. 

Elias Baum’s Frankfurt prospects improve under Adi Hütter

A move away from Frankfurt nevertheless appears considerably less straightforward than it did several weeks ago. New Eintracht head coach Adi Hütter has been impressed by Baum during pre-season and currently appears willing to give the academy product an opportunity to establish himself.

“Elias has power, he has punch and he wants it,” Hütter recently told German tabloid Sport Bild. “That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that other clubs are interested in him.”

Baum’s resurgence has also contributed to Frankfurt placing their pursuit of Ajax right-back Anton Gaaei on hold. Playing time will remain the decisive factor in the youngster’s decision. Baum wishes to avoid another season on the bench after losing half of his market value over the past 12 months.

Frankfurt may presently offer the clearer pathway. Veteran Timothy Chandler is the only other nominal right-back in Hütter’s squad, whereas Baum would have to compete with established Norwegian international Julian Ryerson in Dortmund.

The additional Champions League and Supercup fixtures available at Dortmund could nevertheless create opportunities. Ryerson has also previously been linked with a future move to the Premier League.

Book’s knowledge of Baum’s capabilities renders Dortmund’s interest credible, but the defender may now have more reason to remain in Frankfurt than at any previous point this summer.

GGFN | Peter Weis