Reports: Grujic to Stuttgart and Asensio to Leverkusen links appear unfounded
Two transfer rumors involving potential high caliber signings at top-tier German football clubs are - according to separate sources - untrue.
A Sky Germany report emerging over the weekend linking Serbian midfielder Marko Grujić with VfB Stuttgart is, according to the local Stuttgarter Nachrichten, nothing more than hot air. The local paper cites its own sources to claim that the Swabians have no interest in splurging for the €8-million valued former Hertha loanee.
The Württembergers appear content with completing the signing of SC Freiburg midfielder Yannik Keitel, though this deal will only see the German U21 international arrive in the summer on a free. Whether or not the club decides to bring in additional midfield assistance during the current January transfer window remains to be seen.
In other Bundesliga-related transfer news, it also appears as if rumors surfacing earlier linking Leverkusen with Spanish midfielder Marco Asensio are also untrue. Stephan van Nocks - Leverkusen correspondent for Germany's Kicker Magazine - contacted B04 sporting director Simon Rolfes for direct comment on the story this morning.
Rolfes told van Nocks that there was "nothing to the rumors". In an article published on Kicker's website, van Nocks notes that Leverkusen are still actively seeking an attack-minded midfielder. Any remaining Werkself-related deals before the transfer window closes are nevertheless expected to be geared towards building next season's roster.