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Nigerian striker Gift Orban is edging closer to a swift return to French football, with Ligue 1 side Toulouse in active talks to sign him from Hoffenheim, Footynaija.com reports.
Reports in France suggest the 23-year-old has been released from club duties to explore the move, though Kicker cautions that negotiations remain at an early stage.
Toulouse are keen on a loan arrangement, potentially with an option to buy, while Hoffenheim would prefer a permanent deal to recoup the €9m paid to Lyon in January.
Orban joined Hoffenheim only seven months ago and showed glimpses of quality, scoring four goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances. Yet, he has slipped down the pecking order under coach Christian Ilzer following the emergence of Max Moerstedt and the form of Fisnik Asllani and Tim Lemperle. The recent injury to record signing Adam Hlozek has not altered his situation significantly.
The striker’s absence from Hoffenheim’s DFB Pokal squad in their 4-0 win at Hansa Rostock, where Asllani scored and Moerstedt grabbed two, has only intensified speculation over his future.
Despite his respectable strike rate, Hoffenheim see Orban more as a fringe option than a regular starter, a reality that has made a summer exit increasingly likely. Toulouse, who finished 10th in Ligue 1 last season, view him as a valuable attacking addition.
Given his contract until 2029 and the club’s financial outlay, Hoffenheim are determined not to lose him cheaply.
Despite his relatively young career, Orban already features among the most expensive Nigerian transfers in the history of the French Ligue 1, German Bundesliga and Belgian Pro League.
