Ngapandouetnbu, four clean sheets at Montpellier and already in OM's sights

Simon Ngapandouetnbu is emerging as OM’s number one target for their next starting goalkeeper, according to Africa Foot. The 23-year-old Cameroon international, transferred to Montpellier in 2025 after a loan at Nîmes, has already recorded four clean sheets in six Ligue 1 matches this season in MHSC colours.

Marseille’s summer at this position was complicated. After Geronimo Rulli’s departure to Manchester City, OM pursued several leads — including Toulouse’s Guillaume Restes — without managing to recruit. It was ultimately Jeffrey De Lange who took on the role of number one goalkeeper, supported by Théo Vermot and young Ibrahim Gomis, two profiles without significant experience at the highest level.

The situation is pushing the Olympique leadership to plan ahead. And the Ngapandouetnbu file presents a significant financial advantage: during his transfer to Montpellier, OM retained 50% of the player’s rights, coupled with a buyback priority. Concretely, the Phocaean club could secure the goalkeeper’s services by paying only half of his market value, estimated at €2.5 million on Transfermarkt.

Formed at Marseille, Ngapandouetnbu never got his chance in the Olympique shirt before being loaned to Nîmes and then sold to Hérault. His breakthrough at Montpellier, combined with the contractual link maintained with OM, paints a scenario of a return at reduced cost that the club is closely monitoring.