Germany Training Session And Press Conference
HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 29: Finn Jeltsch of Germany participates in a training session at Homeground on September 29, 2026 in Herzogenaurach, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
CSmith1919 Chuck Smith is the site manager for Bavarian Football Works, where he began writing in 2017. He is the author of The Daily Schmankerl, the longest-running daily Bayern Munich column in English, and also writes The Weekend Warm-Up. In addition to covering Bayern Munich news and providing commentary on Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga, and the German national team. He brings more than 30 years of sports-writing experience to the site. Over the course of his career, he has written for numerous newspapers and websites.
Finn Jeltsch is quickly becoming one of the most coveted young defenders in Europe, and Inter Milan reportedly wants to get ahead of competition that includes Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona.
According to Tuttosport (as captured by FC Inter News), Inter has identified the 20-year-old VfB Stuttgart center-back as its primary defensive target ahead of the summer 2027 transfer window. The Nerazzurri are anticipating changes in their back line, with Benjamin Pavard set to enter the final year of his contract by then—potentially making 2027 the last opportunity to cash in on the veteran defender for a significant fee.
Inter Milan is reportedly drawn to Jeltsch because of his athleticism. His pace stands out for a central defender, which fits the style of defensive line Cristian Chivu wants to build at the club. Jeltsch also offers quality in possession and the versatility to play multiple positions across the back line.
Those qualities have understandably attracted plenty of top-tier attention. FC Barcelona has been linked with Jeltsch, while Real Madrid has now entered the picture as well. Then there is the ever-present threat of Bayern Munich, which maintains a long-standing habit of tracking Germany’s premier young talent.
For Inter Milan, that elite competition could make any pursuit considerably more complicated. Stuttgart is reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of €35 million to €40 million for the young defender, meaning any club wanting to win the race will need to make a serious financial commitment.
Although Jeltsch is only 20, the growing interest surrounding him suggests the market already views him as much more than just a promising Bundesliga prospect. Inter appears to see him as a potential cornerstone for its next-generation defense—and Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid likely share the same vision.
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