Liverpool are among three clubs tracking centre-back Finn Jeltsch, with Bayern Munich and Arsenal also credited with an interest.
Liverpool continue to be linked with new names as the club look to add defensive options ahead of the start of the new season.
The Reds are currently in the United States for their 2026 pre-season tour and are due to play Wrexham on Thursday morning (12:30am BST) before facing Leeds United on Sunday.
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Liverpool’s defensive plans have been dealt a fresh setback after Joe Gomez suffered an injury during the club’s pre-season friendly against Sunderland, leaving head coach Andoni Iraola with limited options at the heart of his defence ahead of the new campaign.
Gomez was forced off just eight minutes into the match, adding to Liverpool’s growing concerns in central defence. The experienced defender was also absent from the club’s training session in Chicago on Sunday, with an update on the extent of his injury yet to arrive.
His absence leaves Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool’s only fit senior centre-back, increasing the importance of the club’s search for defensive reinforcements before the new season gets underway.
Liverpool have now been linked with VfB Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch as they continue to monitor potential options in the transfer market.
According to German outlet FussballDaten, the Reds are among three clubs tracking the highly rated centre-back, with Bayern Munich and Arsenal also credited with an interest in the 20-year-old.
Jeltsch has emerged as one of Germany’s most promising young defenders and has already been compared with former Germany international Mats Hummels, with some observers describing him as the country’s “new Mats Hummels”.
The defender’s rapid rise began after joining Stuttgart from FC Nurnberg in February 2025, with Jeltsch quickly becoming an important member of Sebastian Hoeneß’s squad.
His composure in possession, ability to build play from the back and strong reading of the game have been among the qualities that have helped him attract attention from several top European clubs.
Liverpool’s reported interest comes as the club continue to identify emerging defensive talent, while Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also said to be keeping a close eye on Jeltsch’s progress.
Despite the growing interest, Stuttgart remain in a strong position. Jeltsch is under contract with the Bundesliga club until June 2030, giving them significant leverage in any potential negotiations.
Reports in Germany have suggested that Stuttgart value the defender highly and would demand a substantial fee before considering his departure.
Jeltsch enjoyed an impressive 2025-26 campaign, making 37 appearances in all competitions for Stuttgart. His performances also earned him a nomination for the Golden Boy Web Award, underlining his status as one of Europe’s leading young defenders.
Finn Jeltsch
Stuttgart