Coach Sebastian Hoeneß commented on VfB Stuttgart’s transfer situation, noting the club’s deficit of over €40 million. He stresses the desire to keep striker Ermedin Demirovic amid a bloated squad and injury woes.
Transfer Phase in Focus
After a 4-0 win against Hansa Rostock in the first league match of the season and reaching the second round of the DFB-Cup, Hoeneß is satisfied, but the transfer phase worries him. The squad is currently too bloated, with three new signings: Grischa Prömel, Dzenan Pejcinovic - who scored a hat-trick in the first game - and Bilal El Khannouss. Leo Sauer is still injured.
Key Player Demirovic
He talks about Ermedin Demirovic, one of the most important players over the last two years, who is being courted by Galatasaray Istanbul. Hoeneß would like to keep him, but he acknowledges the financial side. Selling Demirovic or El Khannouss would significantly improve the balance sheet, but he wants to keep him for sporting reasons.
Squad Situation and Injuries
In attack, Deniz Undav and Demirovic are missing; in defence, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Ameen Al-Dakhil are often in the medical room. The injury list has grown to ten players, including Chris Führich and Nikolas Nartey. Despite these problems, Hoeneß stresses: “We hope to go into the season with a very strong squad.” The last ten days of the transfer window could be hotter than previously thought.
