VfB Stuttgart is set to lose one of its brightest young talents. 19-year-old midfielder Mirza Catovic is on the verge of a move to FC Barcelona.
The Spanish giants will initially take the defensive-minded player on loan, with an obligation to make the transfer permanent next season. Stuttgart will receive an upfront payment of €600,000 as part of the loan deal. The subsequent transfer fee is expected to be between €5 million and €10 million. Catovic, who has eight caps for Germany's U19 national team, is set to play for Barcelona's reserve team initially but has the prospect of moving up to the first team.
Mirza Catovic is a 6-foot-3 defensive midfielder who was born in Italy and holds dual Serbian and German nationality. This season, he has featured in two of Stuttgart II's three league games in Germany's 3. Liga. He is yet to make his Bundesliga debut for the first team, but his potential has evidently caught the eye of Barcelona's scouts. The move would represent a major step in the young player's career.
The transfer provides VfB Stuttgart with fresh capital and opens up a spot in the squad for their second team. The financial compensation is notable for a player without top-flight experience. The first team's injury list already includes players like Dan Zagadou, Lorenz Assignon, and Tiago Tomás. The club's focus remains firmly on the Bundesliga, where they currently sit seventh with three points from two matches.
VfB Stuttgart's first team has started the 2026/27 season with one win and one loss, scoring five goals and conceding six. Their next fixture is an away match against 1899 Hoffenheim on September 12th. Manager Sebastian Hoeneß's side aims to build on the positive developments of recent years and, following the away game in Hoffenheim, close the gap to the top groups.
For Mirza Catovic, the move to Barcelona offers the chance to train at one of the world's most renowned youth academies. Starting with the reserve team is a logical step to gain high-level match practice. The agreed obligation to buy provides certainty for both the player and VfB Stuttgart. If Catovic impresses in Barcelona, Stuttgart would receive a significant fee. Should he return, he would come back with valuable experience. The coming season in Spain's third tier will be important for his future career. VfB Stuttgart will naturally monitor the progress of their former youth player closely; an overview of all departures can be found on our squad page. The first team's next competitive match is on September 12th in Sinsheim.
