Marseille consider 2027 return for Montpellier goalkeeper Simon Ngapandouetnbu

Marseille are considering activating their priority to re-sign goalkeeper Simon Ngapandouetnbu in June 2027, according to La Provence.

The 23-year-old Cameroon international left the club for Montpellier to secure regular first-team football and continue his development. He remains under contract with Montpellier until June 2028.

Marseille’s interest suggests they continue to view Ngapandouetnbu as a potential solution for the future, although his performances in Ligue 2 will be crucial in determining whether he is ready to return to the squad at the Velodrome.

Progress at Montpellier

Ngapandouetnbu moved away from Marseille with the specific aim of playing more regularly and reaching the next stage of his development. His time at Montpellier is beginning to provide the consistency and experience that are particularly important for a young goalkeeper.

Regular matches can help improve a goalkeeper’s decision-making, reactions and ability to deal with pressure. They also provide the opportunity to build confidence and develop greater maturity in competitive situations.

The early statistics from this season are encouraging. Ngapandouetnbu has made eight league appearances, playing 786 minutes in total. He has conceded five goals and recorded a clean-sheet rate of 63%, equating to about five matches without conceding from those eight appearances.

Those figures point to a solid start, although they cannot alone provide a complete assessment of his level. They do indicate that he has shown an ability to protect his goal and contribute to Montpellier’s results.

Marseille will continue to monitor whether that progress can be maintained. His consistency, ability to make decisive saves and capacity to cope with the demands of a club of Marseille’s size will all be important factors.

Potential successor to Jeffrey de Lange

La Provence reports that Marseille are examining the possibility of using their priority to re-sign Ngapandouetnbu in June 2027 as they consider the future of the goalkeeping position.

The Cameroon goalkeeper already knows the club’s environment, is continuing his development in France and could offer Marseille a familiar option. Bringing him back would also allow the club to consider a player developed within its own system instead of automatically looking for another goalkeeper elsewhere.

However, no concrete decision or agreement has been announced. Marseille’s interest does not mean a return has been finalised, nor would it guarantee Ngapandouetnbu a place in the squad.

His potential role would still need to be decided. A return would not automatically make him the number one goalkeeper, and Marseille would have to assess whether he is ready to compete at the highest level or requires further experience.

His performances for Montpellier in the coming months will therefore be closely followed. Continued improvement could strengthen his case, but he must turn the promise of his current form into sustained evidence before a return to the Velodrome becomes a realistic prospect.