Kickerreports 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.
He declined to identify Pejcinovic's destination, but Kickerreports 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.
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.
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.
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. Kickerreports 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.
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.
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.
