In the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 against Real Betis on Thursday (9:00 p.m. live on RTL and RTL+), Eintracht Frankfurt’s hopes also rest on Tuta. The Brazilian central defender has been in top form for weeks. But his future on the Main is open.
Luka Jovic for 63 million euros to Real Madrid, Sébastien Haller for 50 million euros to West Ham United, most recently André Silva for 23 million euros to RB Leipzig – Eintracht Frankfurt has gained a reputation as one of the most successful seller clubs in Europe in recent years.
The next in the line of very expensive departures could be Tuta. The portal “transfermarkt.de” has so far estimated the market value of the 22-year-old defender at “only” 7.5 million euros.
But if Tuta’s development continues as rapidly as it has in the past few weeks, completely different sums are likely to be traded for him soon.
Tuta at Eintracht Frankfurt in top form
In any case, in Frankfurt they are enthusiastic about the Brazilian, who is one of the best duels in the team and yet also impresses with his technically strong, elegant style of play.
“Our back three is making a very good, stable impression right now,” praised coach Oliver Glasner after the 2-1 win over in-form VfL Bochum.
Tuta mastered two “difficult situations” against the fast Christopher Antwi-Adjej from Bochum. “He has developed very well,” enthused sports director Markus Krösche to “Sport1” from Tuta.
The youngster also impresses internationally. For his strong performance in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League at Real Betis (2-1), he received the sport.de grade of 1.5. “An important factor in the victory” was Tuta, it said in the individual review.
Eintracht Frankfurt paid 1.8 million euros for Tuta
Tuta’s move to Frankfurt is still due to former sports director Fredi Bobic. Already at the beginning of 2019, he had steered the right foot from the youth of FC Sao Paulo to the Main for at least 1.8 million euros.
Tuta then spent the 2019/2020 season on loan at the Belgian first division club KV Kortrijk, where he got the necessary competitive toughness for European professional football.
In the Eintracht jersey, he has now played 45 competitive games in which he has already scored three goals.
What’s next for Tuta at Eintracht Frankfurt?
Whether Tuta will continue to wear the eagle on his chest in the medium and long term is anyone’s guess. His contract expires in 2023. According to the current status, Krösche and Co. could only collect an adequate transfer fee in the coming transfer period.
“We are in good contact with Tuta and his advisor. I’m sure we can find a solution,” said the Frankfurt manager recently. However, Krösche did not rule out a sale with this rather nebulous statement.
According to “Sport1”, with his current salary, Tuta is in the bottom third of the squad. For an extension, Eintracht would probably have to dig deep into their relatively empty pockets due to Corona.
Extension at Eintracht Frankfurt for Tuta “an issue”
After all: Tuta confirmed contract talks to “Bild” at the beginning of March. An extension of the cooperation is “an issue” for him, according to the defensive jewel. “I really appreciate the work of the people in charge at Eintracht. They always think about the success of the team, now and in the future.”
With further appearances on the international stage, Eintracht Frankfurt could gather even more arguments to make Tuta stay palatable – another incentive to move into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
“We got a slight advantage from the first leg but we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. We know what a tough opponent we’re going to face,” Tuta told club media of the second leg against Real Betis.
Frankfurt will “have to put in a great performance again to survive,” said Tuta. “We will play to win – as always.”
Tobias Knoop