A major transfer tug-of-war is brewing in the Premier League, with three of England's biggest clubs setting their sights on the same highly-coveted talent. Manchester United, Manchester City, and Arsenal are all reportedly tracking the progress of Eintracht Frankfurt's rising star, Nathaniel Brown, ahead of a potential summer move.
The Player at the Heart of the Battle
The subject of this three-way interest is 22-year-old German left-back Nathaniel Brown. Since his move from Nurnberg in 2024 for a mere £3million, Brown has firmly established himself as a key figure in Frankfurt's defence. His impressive club form has been rewarded on the international stage; he was part of the Germany Under-21 squad that reached the European Championship final last summer and earned his first senior cap for Germany in a match against Luxembourg in October 2025.
According to German publication Bild, Frankfurt are fully aware of the asset they have and are confident of securing a huge profit. The club's sporting director, Markus Krosche, has publicly argued that Brown's value is comparable to the fee Chelsea paid for Spanish defender Marc Cucurella, with reports floating a potential price tag of €63.5 million (over £55 million).
Frankfurt's Stance and Player Profile
Eintracht Frankfurt are in a strong negotiating position, with Brown under contract until 2030. This means the Bundesliga side is under no financial pressure to sell their prized defender for a cut-price fee. Krosche has been effusive in his praise for the young full-back, highlighting the qualities that have attracted England's elite.
"Yes! Because he has three exceptional abilities that you can’t learn," Krosche stated, when asked if Brown was worth such a significant sum. "He’s smart and tactically astute, has fantastic technique, and is very fast. And all of that is necessary to have a great career ahead of him."
He further elaborated on Brown's development, noting, "And Nene (Brown) is simply exceptional. He’s made outstanding progress, especially when it comes to defending at a high level. Just look at how he plays against top opponents in the Champions League."
A Proven Seller's Market
Frankfurt have a formidable recent history of selling players for massive fees, making them seasoned operators in the transfer market. This record suggests they will drive a hard bargain for Brown. Notable big-money departures include:
- Omar Marmoush: Sold to Manchester City for £59 million in January 2025.
- Hugo Ekitike: A summer sale to Liverpool that could eventually net Frankfurt up to £79 million including add-ons.
- Sales of Willian Pacho and Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain fetched a combined total of over £120 million.
This context indicates that the reported £55 million valuation for Brown is firmly within the club's expectations and past experience. The defender, who can also operate on the left of midfield, appears to be the next in line to command a blockbuster transfer fee from Deutsche Bank Park.
With the summer transfer window on the horizon, the pursuit of Nathaniel Brown is set to become one of the most intriguing and potentially expensive sagas, pitting three Premier League titans against each other and a club known for its tough negotiating stance.
