Report: Augsburg and Stuttgart near deal for Demirovic

From "entering" the race to sign coveted German-Bosnian striker Ermedin Demirovic from Augsburg, it now appears as if Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart are leading it. Sky Germany's Florian Pletennberg reports that Augsburg and Stuttgart are close to finalizing a deal. Demirovic's Fuggerstädter are apparently hoping to obtain a little more than €20 million for their captain while Stuttgart do not wish to go much higher. 

Germany's surprise Champions' League representatives from Swabia find themselves in need of an attacking reinforcement soon as it seems as if the squad's leading goal-scorer Serhou Guirassy is on the verge of transferring to Dortmund. There are also fresh reports emerging this morning that Stuttgart and Brighton are having continued difficultysealing a permanent transfer of Deniz Undav. 

Augsburg themselves were able to secure their preferred replacement for Demirovic with the signing of Congolese international Samuel Essende yesterday. Quick closing of a deal beneficial to both clubs could thus be foreseeable. Demirovic would constitute a record transfer for the Cannstatter. Argentine Nicolas Gonzalez's €11.6 million purchase in 2018 was the highest amount paid for a VfB arrival.