Stuttgart Updates: VfB reject Forest bid for Mangala, Massimo possibly on the move
Two Stuttgart based newspapers report that the local club has already rejected a bid from Nottingham Forest tendered for Belgian midfielder Orel Mangala.
The 24-year-old could nevertheless still be on the move as, according to one of the papers, interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace could still keep bidding competitive.
In other VfB Stuttgart news, German footballing magazine Kicker reports that Germany U21 international Roberto Massimo might be on the move to Düsseldorf.
Twice-capped Belgian international Orel Mangala maintains and estimated market value of som €15 million despite some disappointing seasons that have seen his worth decrease from a €21 million peak 18 months ago. According to both the Stuttgarter Nachrichten and the Stuttgarter Zeitung, the €15 million figure is precisely what the Swabians want for the player. Anything less will not be considered.
The 24-year-old could nevertheless still be on the move as, according to one of the papers, interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace could still keep bidding competitive.
In other VfB Stuttgart news, German footballing magazine Kicker reports that Germany U21 international Roberto Massimo might be on the move to Düsseldorf.
The papers report that newly promoted EPL side Nottingham Forest--who have already acquired three Bundesligists in the form of Mainz's Moussa Niakhaté, Union Berlin's Taiwo Awoniyi, and Bayern's Omar Richards--did approach VfB Stuttgart with a €11 million offer for Mangala. This bid was roundly rejected.
VfB sporting director Sven Mislintat recently told Sky Germany that "one or two talks regarding him [Mangala] have been held" while also insisting that "they were not in line with his value". The "Nachrichten" piece nevertheless reports that London sides Crystal Palace and West Ham United are also interested, meaning that the BaWü club could ultimately get what they seek.
In other news on the Stuttgarter departure front, Germany's preeminent footballing publication reports that Mislintat and the rest of the front office staff have finally found a taker for former Germany U21 international Roberto Massimo. The 21-year-old did score two tallies during the first half of last year's campaign, yet fell out of favor with head-coach Pellegrino Matarazzo and only made one start in the whole of the 2021/22 "Rück-runde".
After some discussion as to whether Massimo might be loaned out to Arminia Bielefeld once again, Kicker reports that Fortuna Düsseldorf now emerge as the most interested part. It is not yet known whether the Flingeraner are interested in a loan or outright purchase.