The VfB pros celebrate a goal in the friendly against FC Valencia in the summer.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Bundesliga
For a few days, VfB Stuttgart has been getting fit for the second half of the season in Marbella under coach Bruno Labbadia. The Swabians are currently in a relegation battle, occupying the relegation place with 14 points and have to fight to stay in the Bundesliga in the second half of the season from the end of January.
It is therefore not surprising that VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth declared war at the start of the winter preparations: “We must leave no stone unturned in order to make the mission to stay in the league a success. Hard work forms the basis for always reaching the performance limit in the second series as well.”
Borna Sosa or Konstantinos Mavropanos could bring money
However, it does not seem that VfB can make large investments in the winter trans window. First of all, revenue must be generated. Borna Sosa and Konstantinos Mavropanos are two players who have been rumored to be leaving in the past.
“Sky” now reported that Mavropanos in particular is open to a change in winter. According to transfer expert Florian Plettenberg, it is currently only a question of whether Mavropanos or Sosa would leave the club first. Accordingly, the Stuttgart bosses would like to “make money” with one of the players.
Mavropanos, whose contract with VfB runs until 2025, is said to have already had informal talks with Atlético Madrid. The “first numbers” have already been exchanged. The “Stuttgarter Nachrichten” had also reported on talks between the club and the players, but VfB had not yet received an offer.
In addition, according to “Sky”, there is a catch: Madrid could probably not make any commitment due to financial fair play. A loan, on the other hand, would not bring VfB any money in the current situation and would therefore not help either.
According to “Sky”, Mavropanos would leave in winter if there was a good offer. It is clear to him, however, that he wants to take the next step by summer at the latest. Then the Greek national player would probably be unstoppable.
Meanwhile, the “Bild” reported on a possible newcomer in the center. According to the report, Kaan Ayhan could imagine a return to the Bundesliga. The Turkish national player was already under contract with Schalke, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf. He currently plays in Italy with US Sassuolo, where he has started just five times in 16 league games.
“At the moment we feel well positioned.”
Sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth on planning for the central defender position.
However, VfB lacks the money to sign Ayhan immediately. Therefore, a loan would be conceivable. VfB should also be impressed by Ayhan. Sports director Wohlgemuth said: “At the moment we feel well positioned.”
With Mavropanos, Hiroki Ito, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Waldemar Anton, VfB has four regular central defenders. However, should Mavropanos leave VfB, Stuttgart could probably use a central defender and would have more money in the coffers again.
