Transferred: Millot joins Saudi Arabian club after departing VfB Stuttgart - Transfer: Millot migrates from VfB Stuttgart to Saudi Arabian team
VfB Stuttgart's Transfer Saga: A Rollercoaster Ride
VfB Stuttgart, the German football club, is navigating a tumultuous transfer market, with the recent sale of Enzo Millot to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia adding a new twist to the story.
Millot, a 23-year-old Frenchman who had been with Stuttgart since 2021, has now signed a three-year contract with his new club. Matthias Jaissle, former coach of Hoffenheim, is said to have played a role in Millot's signing.
The sale of Millot is expected to bring in around 30 million euros for Stuttgart, a significant boost for the club's transfer budget. However, the funds are being utilised strategically, with the club focusing on investing in young talents.
One such talent is Chema Andrés, a midfielder from Real Madrid, who has been signed by Stuttgart. The club paid approximately €3 million for his services and secured him until 2029. This signing reflects Stuttgart's strategy to invest in highly rated youth talent despite challenges in other deals.
Another young player brought in to strengthen the squad is Lorenz Assignon, a right-back who was already secured earlier in the window as a key addition to the team’s defense. Noah Darvich from Barcelona and Lazar Jovanovic from Red Star were also added to the roster.
However, the signing of Caspar Jander, a midfielder from 1. FC Nürnberg, and Giannis Konstantelias, a Greek forward from PAOK, has proven to be more challenging. A verbal agreement was reportedly reached with Jander, but transfer difficulties have made his signing uncertain or possibly failed due to high costs. As for Konstantelias, negotiations stalled, and the deal was described as "unfruitful," indicating it likely did not materialize.
Cole Campbell, a Borussia Dortmund prospect, is another potential recruit, but Dortmund may be reluctant to let him go soon due to squad depth concerns.
Despite these challenges, Stuttgart is prioritising a balanced approach with quality youth and experienced players to strengthen their squad for the 2025/26 season. Returning player Silas Katompa Mvumpa does not seem to have a significant role under current coach Sebastian Hoeneß.
The club has also parted ways with loan players El Bilal Touré, Fabian Rieder, and Jacob Bruun Larsen. Meanwhile, the transfer window is still open, and the potential signing of Fabio Vieira from FC Arsenal is not imminent.
In the midst of all this, it's worth noting that Millot scored two goals in the DFB-Pokalfinal against Arminia Bielefeld, a memorable moment in his time with Stuttgart. However, he had expressed his desire to leave the club to the management, leading to his move to Al-Ahli.
With Millot's departure, Stuttgart's attack remains well-staffed with Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirović. Meanwhile, the club continues to pursue young talents to bolster their squad for the upcoming season.
The European football leagues may witness a strengthened VfB Stuttgart, as they skillfully utilize the proceeds from Enzo Millot's sale to invest in promising players such as Chema Andrés and Lorenz Assignon, while also keeping an eye on talents from other clubs like Cole Campbell and Fabio Vieira.
Despite the challenges in signing players like Caspar Jander and Giannis Konstantelias, the club remains focused on a balanced approach, aiming to combine youth and experienced players to ensure a competitive squad for the 2025/26 season, similar to the support offered to industries in a community through aid. The pursuit of these strategies mirrors the resilience and adaptability found in the steel industry, a sector that consistently faces numerous challenges.
