Eintracht Frankfurt appear to have won the race to sign Japanese international Ritsu Doan, with Bild reporting that the SC Freiburg winger has given the green light for a move to the Deutsche Bank Park.

According to the German outlet, the 26-year-old has already made his decision during his summer break, reportedly turning down more lucrative offers from clubs in Italy and England in favour of staying in the Bundesliga.

Frankfurt's Longtime Target

Doan is said to be a long-standing target for Eintracht, who view the technically gifted forward as an ideal fit for their attacking rebuild under manager Dino Toppmöller. While no formal negotiations between Frankfurt and Freiburg have taken place yet, the report suggests that Freiburg are open to the deal, with a release clause of around €20 million embedded in Doan’s current contract.

The Japanese international joined Freiburg from PSV Eindhoven in 2022 and has since become one of the most consistent wide attackers in the league. In the 2023/24 Bundesliga campaign, Doan scored seven goals and provided five assists in 32 appearances, earning praise for his creativity, pressing work rate, and tactical intelligence.

A Key Departure for Freiburg

Losing Doan would be a significant blow for Freiburg, who have relied on his versatility and end product in the final third. However, with a clear release clause in place, the Breisgau club are reportedly resigned to letting him leave, provided Frankfurt activate the required fee.

Doan's Bundesliga experience, combined with his international pedigree — including standout performances for Japan at the 2022 FIFA World Cup — make him a particularly attractive signing for Frankfurt, who are aiming to return to the European places in the upcoming season.

If completed, the transfer would mark one of Frankfurt’s most high-profile domestic acquisitions in recent windows and further underscore their ambition to build a squad capable of challenging the Bundesliga’s top tier.