Union Berlin holds onto Matheo Raab – Hannover 96 eyes Pascal Loretz
Union Berlin rejected a roughly €1 million bid for goalkeeper Matheo Raab on July 9 2026. The 27‑year‑old stays in Berlin, while Hannover 96 is already preparing a deal for 23‑year‑old Pascal Loretz from Luzern.
Why Union turned the offer down
According to Bild and Sky, Union did not want to lose the young international. Raab, who joined from Hamburger SV for €400 000 after the 2023 promotion, is seen as the successor to Frederik Rönnow (33). His current market value is about €600 000, but Union views him as a long‑term asset and wants to keep fan support intact.
What this means for Hannover 96
Hannover 96 had placed a €900 000 offer on Union’s table on Monday, with bonuses pushing the total over €1 million. After the rejection, the club swiftly shifted focus to Pascal Loretz. The Swiss, who was in the national squad in 2024‑25, is priced at roughly €1.1 million, potentially rising to €1.4 million after a successful medical.
Goalkeeper situation at both clubs
Union now has a reliable starter in Raab, who shone in the 1‑0 win over Freiburg on March 15 2024 despite a hand injury that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Hannover, on the other hand, must replace Frederik Rönnow and find a clear No. 1. Names like Florian Hellstern (loan) and Stefan Ortega (rumoured) have been mentioned, but Loretz appears to be the preferred target.
Financial picture this summer
Hannover 96 has already spent about €2.5 million in the current window and generated €2.3 million from sales. Union has not moved large sums yet, focusing on squad stability. Both clubs hope their decisions will solidify their sporting outlook for the 2026/27 season.
What’s next?
Hannover’s next step is completing Loretz’s medical, followed by the official contract signing. Union must decide how to further integrate Raab – possibly with a new contract to protect his market value. Fans of both sides await official confirmations, expected in the coming days.
