VfB Stuttgart are assessing their options in goal after new signing Dennis Seimen suffered a muscle injury that will keep him out until at least September, according to reports from SWR. The 20-year-old, who earned his promotion to first choice after a successful loan spell with SC Paderborn, will miss the start of the Bundesliga season, the DFB-Pokal, and the opening phase of Stuttgart’s Champions League campaign.
Seimen’s injury presents an opportunity for Fabian Bredlow, who has served as a long-time backup to former Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel. However, Stuttgart’s sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, has indicated the club is evaluating whether to seek further reinforcement, stating that while their goalkeeping personnel were largely settled, they will discuss potential moves in the coming days. Wohlgemuth’s comments were reported by SWR.
Several potential candidates have been identified. Diant Ramaj, a Stuttgart native currently at Borussia Dortmund, is a loan option, having spent last season on loan at 1. FC Heidenheim. With Gregor Kobel firmly established as Dortmund’s number one, a move back to Stuttgart could offer Ramaj valuable playing time, including potential Champions League appearances.
Free agents Stefan Ortega, formerly of Manchester City and Nottingham Forest, and Nikola Vasilj, previously with FC St. Pauli, have also been mentioned as possibilities. Ortega recently returned to Germany after four years in the Premier League, while Vasilj is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, according to Bild. Other names in the frame include Örjan Nyland, who impressed at the World Cup despite a costly error in the quarter-final, as well as Kamil Grabara of VfL Wolfsburg and Michael Zetterer of Eintracht Frankfurt. However, Wolfsburg’s asking price for Grabara is likely prohibitive, and Zetterer’s situation at Frankfurt remains uncertain.
Despite the range of options, Sky Sports reports that Stuttgart are not currently planning any new goalkeeping signings, at least for the time being. The club will likely prioritize a cost-effective solution, and the situation may ultimately benefit Bredlow, who could be given an extended run in the team.
