VfB Stuttgart interested in a potential winter transfer for 1.FC Köln’s Max Finkgräfe

kicker reports that VfB Stuttgart are interested in bringing 1.FC Köln’s left-back Max Finkgräfe to the club as they look to add reinforcements.

The reason Stuttgart are interested in Finkgräfe is due to current left-back Frans Krätzig’s loan likely being terminated in the winter. The Bayern loanee has failed to make an impact in his six months at the MHP Arena. If Stuttgart can agree on a deal for Köln’s left-back, then a termination will be likely.

Finkgräfe could potentially leave the Domstadt in the winter as he has lost his place to Leart Paqarada and has only played 76 minutes in the 2.Bundesliga since the beginning of September.

However, what will not work in the 20-year-old’s favour is the fact that Köln extended his contract in March until 2026, which means if Stuttgart is interested in a winter transfer, the fee will not be cheap. 

The Mönchengladbach native would offer an alternative and would likely be the successor for Maximilian Mittelstädt. Finkgräfe would also be the third player to swap Köln for Stuttgart in the past year with Jeff Chabot and Justin Diehl both moving south. 

It is not the best look for prospects from Köln’s academy either as Jonas Urbig and Tim Lemperle, products of the academy, are both looking to leave in the near future. 

GGFN | Jack Meenan