Kicker reports that VfB Stuttgart is on the brink of finalizing the signing of Wolfsburg striker Dženan Pejčinović, following an agreement on a €25 million transfer. After Saturday evening’s 0-0 draw with Kaiserslautern, Wolfsburg’s sporting managing director Dieter Hecking confirmed that the relegated Bundesliga club had struck a deal with another team regarding the 21-year-old’s move.

“We have reached an agreement with a club,” Hecking stated, without revealing the destination of Pejčinović. However, Kicker indicates that Stuttgart has finally secured its primary attacking target after weeks of challenging negotiations. The completion of the transfer is contingent upon Pejčinović passing his medical examination.

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Pejčinović was named as a substitute for Wolfsburg’s opening 2. Bundesliga game against Kaiserslautern, but head coach Tobias Strobl opted not to use him as the transfer neared conclusion.

Stuttgart Meets Wolfsburg’s Demands for Pejčinović

Wolfsburg initially rejected Stuttgart’s opening bid of €18 million, prompting VfB to increase their offer for Pejčinović to approximately €22 million. The striker had already expressed a preference to join Stuttgart and had reportedly notified Wolfsburg of his desire to move about a month ago. Despite interest from other Bundesliga and international clubs, he remained committed to the transfer.

Porto was among the teams looking to secure Pejčinović, but he still favored a transition to Swabia. VfB’s participation in the Champions League, the chance to work under Sebastian Hoeneß, and the prospect of being closer to his native Munich reportedly attracted him.

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Stuttgart ultimately presented a third proposal that included just under €23.5 million guaranteed plus bonuses that could increase the total to over €25 million. However, even this proposal did not fully satisfy Hecking, as there remained a gap of approximately €1.5 million on guaranteed terms, with Wolfsburg insisting on a total package worth around €25 million.

Leipzig’s Interest May Have Accelerated the Transfer

Late negotiations saw Stuttgart contend with the possibility of fresh competition from RB Leipzig. The latter entered the fray after their €25 million transfer of Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani fell through due to medical issues. According to Kicker, Leipzig’s interest in Pejčinović may have pushed Stuttgart to resolve any lingering uncertainties and finalize their deal with Wolfsburg. While negotiations dragged on, VfB had started exploring alternatives.

One possible option was Fenerbahçe’s Sidiki Chérif, as Get German Football News reported Stuttgart’s readiness to consider other options if Wolfsburg remained firm in their stance. Nevertheless, Pejčinović remained the top choice for Stuttgart throughout the negotiation process. Existing strikers Ermedin Demirović and Deniz Undav also expressed their support for adding another high-caliber forward to the squad, especially considering the challenges posed by Champions League football.

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The transfer marks a significant financial victory for Wolfsburg, which signed Pejčinović from Augsburg for only €1.25 million in summer 2022. Initially, he struggled for playing time at the Bundesliga level, making just five appearances in his first two seasons before a loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf in 2. Bundesliga helped revive his career.

Following his return to Wolfsburg, Pejčinović emerged as a key first-team player, notably scoring a hat-trick against Freiburg during a standout performance, solidifying his status as one of the team’s few consistent attacking options.

Pejčinović concluded Wolfsburg’s relegation season with eight goals from 30 Bundesliga appearances. He added three goals in two DFB-Pokal matches and netted once in the relegation playoff, bringing his overall tally to 12 goals in all competitions.

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These contributions also earned him recognition with Germany’s U21 national team, significantly boosting his market value. Wolfsburg’s relegation made it challenging to retain him, as Pejčinović expressed his desire to stay in the Bundesliga. Stuttgart maintained their pursuit despite multiple rejected bids and competing offers.

After weeks of negotiations, both sides have now reached an agreement.

Pejčinović is set to continue his career in the Bundesliga with Stuttgart.

Kicker reports that VfB Stuttgart are finally on the verge of completing the signing of Wolfsburg striker Dženan Pejčinović after the two German clubs reached an agreement on a €25m transfer. Wolfsburg sporting managing director Dieter Hecking confirmed after Saturday evening’s 0-0 draw with Kaiserslautern that the relegated Bundesliga club had agreed terms with another team over the 21-year-old’s departure.

“We have reached an agreement with a club,” Hecking told Kicker.

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He declined to identify Pejcinovic’s destination, but Kicker reports that Stuttgart have finally secured their primary attacking target following several weeks of difficult negotiations. The transfer is expected to be completed provided no problems arise during the striker’s medical. Pejcinovic was named among the substitutes for Wolfsburg’s opening 2. Bundesliga fixture against Kaiserslautern, but head coach Tobias Strobl deliberately declined to use him as the transfer approached completion.

Stuttgart finally meet Wolfsburg’s Pejcinovic demands

Wolfsburg rejected Stuttgart’s opening €18m proposal before VfB subsequently increased their offer for Pejčinović to approximately €22m. The striker had already made Stuttgart his preferred destination and reportedly informed Wolfsburg of his desire to move approximately one month ago. Interest from elsewhere in the Bundesliga and abroad failed to alter his position.

Porto were among the clubs prepared to challenge Stuttgart, but Pejcinovic continued to favour a move to Swabia. VfB’s Champions League participation, the opportunity to work under Sebastian Hoeneß and the prospect of moving considerably closer to his native Munich all reportedly appealed to him.

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Stuttgart eventually submitted a third offer containing just under €23.5m guaranteed and bonuses capable of taking the package beyond €25m. Even that proposal did not immediately satisfy Hecking. The sides remained approximately €1.5m apart in guaranteed terms, with Wolfsburg continuing to insist upon a package worth around €25m.

Leipzig intervention may have accelerated deal

Stuttgart also faced the prospect of fresh Bundesliga competition late in negotiations. RB Leipzig entered the picture after their €25m signing of Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani unexpectedly collapsed following the player’s medical. Kicker reports that Leipzig subsequently showed interest in Pejcinovic, potentially prompting Stuttgart to eliminate any remaining doubts and conclude their agreement with Wolfsburg. VfB had already begun examining alternatives while negotiations dragged on.

Fenerbahçe youngster Sidiki Chérif emerged as one option, with Get German Football News reporting that Stuttgart were prepared to move elsewhere if Wolfsburg maintained their position. Pejcinovic nevertheless remained Stuttgart’s preferred No. 9 throughout. Existing strikers Ermedin Demirović and Deniz Undav had also publicly welcomed another high-level attacking addition, with Stuttgart preparing for the additional demands created by Champions League football.

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The transfer will represent an enormous return on Wolfsburg’s original investment. Pejcinovic joined the Wolves from Augsburg in summer 2022 for just €1.25m but initially struggled to break through at Bundesliga level. He managed only five top-flight appearances during his first two seasons before a 2. Bundesliga loan spell with Fortuna Düsseldorf helped restart his development.

Returning to Wolfsburg, Pejcinovic eventually established himself as an important first-team striker. His breakthrough included a memorable Bundesliga hat-trick against Freiburg and a prolific spell during which he emerged as one of the club’s few reliable attacking threats.

Pejcinovic finished Wolfsburg’s relegation campaign with eight goals from 30 Bundesliga appearances. He added three more across two DFB-Pokal matches and another goal during the ultimately unsuccessful relegation play-off, giving him 12 goals across all competitions.

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Those performances also helped establish him with Germany’s U21 national team and significantly increased his transfer value. Wolfsburg’s relegation ultimately made retaining him difficult. Pejcinovic made clear that he wished to remain in the Bundesliga, and Stuttgart remained equally persistent in their pursuit despite several rejected approaches and competing options.

After nearly a month of negotiations, both parties have now got what they wanted.

Pejčinović is set to continue his Bundesliga career with Stuttgart.

GGFN | Peter Weis