VfB Stuttgart have reportedly warned Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United that Finn Jeltsch is not for sale, demanding €50-60 million before even opening talks for the 20-year-old defender amid growing Premier League interest.
Stuttgart Set High Price for Jeltsch
Fussball News reports that all three Premier League clubs have scouted the centre-back in person. However, Stuttgart have received no official offer, and no concrete negotiations have taken place so far.
Jeltsch is contracted until June 2030, which gives the Bundesliga side considerable leverage. They are not expected to sanction an exit in January and want to keep him until at least summer 2027. Although his market value is around €35 million, Stuttgart may also demand add-ons and a sell-on clause.
Why Premier League Clubs Want Jeltsch
Arsenal signed Ezri Konsa in the summer but could still add depth, with Jeltsch developing into a long-term option for Mikel Arteta.
Manchester United’s defensive future is unclear, with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt all uncertain beyond this season.
Liverpool are planning for life after Virgil van Dijk, whose deal is running down, while Ibrahima Konate left in the summer.
Right-footed and strong in the air, Jeltsch also brings composed, progressive passing, which suits teams that defend high and build from the back.
Our Opinion
Stuttgart hold all the cards. With a contract running to 2030, they have no reason to cash in, and €50 million-plus for a 20-year-old is steep. Yet if two English clubs bid against each other, that figure could look modest by next summer.
Arsenal seem best placed, though United could offer the quickest route into a first-team spot. Jeltsch may also benefit more from regular Bundesliga minutes than from a squad role in England.
