VfB Stuttgart are expecting to receive ‘top offers’ for their key players in the summer after Nottingham Forest made moves this year.
That’s according to Sport BILD. The German newspaper covers Stuttgart today and how their summer could end up being a busy one on the departures front.
According to their report, Stuttgart are focusing on winning the Europa League for the money it would generate.
That extra money could help them to keep their stars in the summer. Several have already been targeted by the Premier League. Chief among them are Jamie Leweling and Ramon Hendriks.
Leweling to Nottingham Forest
Leweling, for instance, was a target for Nottingham Forest last summer. Sport Witness covered that extensively at the time.
First it was explained that they would need a truly exceptional offer if they were to sign the 24-year-old at any point.
Then a separate report explained how Leweling had made it clear he didn’t want Nottingham Forest.
He even plainly told his agents to leave him alone. Whether that’s now changed, remains to be seen. But there is a feeling that Nottingham Forest could return for him at some point.
Forest target Hendriks too
He’s not the only Stuttgart player in their sights either. There’s also Ramon Hendriks. Nottingham Forest, as well as Borussia Dortmund, moved for him in the January transfer window.
Sport Witness also covered that at the time. Indeed, Stuttgart’s sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth even confirmed that they had rejected a bid.
He then explained that the German side had done so as they’re continuing to back Hendriks development. That, of course, could see his value rise considerably in future. Whether that means a summer sale is on the table, is up for debate.
But the feeling is that Nottingham Forest, and others, may return at that point. Hence why Stuttgart are putting a focus on the Europa League. If they were to win the whole tournament, they could bag around €34m in prize money from their participation.
That’s a lot of money for the Germany side and would help ward off interest in their best players this summer.