Simon Ngapandouetnbu could be in line for a return to Olympique de Marseille, with the club considering whether to activate its buy-back priority in June 2027.

The possibility has been reported by La Provence and reflects Marseille’s continued interest in their former goalkeeper. It also raises a key question: has the 23-year-old Cameroon international developed sufficiently to establish himself in the club’s first-team squad?

Ngapandouetnbu left Marseille to secure regular playing time and continue his development. He is under contract with Montpellier until June 2028 and has been gaining valuable experience in Ligue 2.

For a young goalkeeper, consistent appearances are important in building maturity, sharpening reactions and learning to manage the pressure of competitive matches. Regular football can also help develop the confidence and reliability required in a position where mistakes are often decisive.

The early figures from his Montpellier spell are encouraging. Ngapandouetnbu has played eight league matches this season, completing 786 minutes on the pitch. He has conceded five goals and recorded a 63% clean-sheet rate, equivalent to about five games without allowing a goal across those eight appearances.

Those numbers suggest a degree of defensive stability, although they cannot alone provide a complete assessment of a goalkeeper’s level. They do, however, indicate that Ngapandouetnbu has shown an ability to protect his goal and contribute to his side’s results.

Marseille will continue to assess whether that form can be maintained. His consistency, the quality of his decisive saves and his ability to cope with the demands associated with a club of Marseille’s size will all be important markers of his progress.

Marseille consider succession planning

According to La Provence, Olympique de Marseille are examining the option of activating their buy-back priority in June 2027. One reason would be to plan for the succession of Jeffrey de Lange and prepare for the future in goal.

Ngapandouetnbu already knows the Marseille environment, is continuing his development in France and would represent a familiar option for the club. A return could allow Marseille to rely on a player developed within their system rather than routinely searching for an entirely new goalkeeper.

No concrete decision has been announced, however. Marseille’s interest does not mean an agreement has been reached, nor does it guarantee that Ngapandouetnbu would automatically return to the squad.

The goalkeeper’s potential role would also need to be established. A move back to the Velodrome would not necessarily make him the starter, and Marseille would have to decide whether he is ready to compete at the highest level or requires further experience before taking that step.

His performances for Montpellier over the coming months are therefore likely to remain significant. Continued progress would strengthen his case, but he must turn the promise of his current form into sustained evidence before a return can be seriously considered.