Matthäus: World Cup form could leave Dortmund and Stuttgart powerless to keep Nmecha and Undav | OneFootball

Lothar Matthäus has warned that VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund could struggle to hold on to Deniz Undav and Felix Nmecha, respectively, if the Germany duo maintain their impressive World Cup form.

“If it continues like this, I see two players from our team on their way to the very top of world football: Deniz Undav  and Felix Nmecha. If they keep going consistently, their clubs won’t be able to hold on to them for much longer,” Matthäus wrote in a column for Sport Bild.

Both players recently signed long-term contract extensions, but Matthäus believes that may not be enough to fend off interest if they continue to impress for Germany at the World Cup.

Nmecha, in particular, has been linked with a move away, with numerous European heavyweights reportedly monitoring the 25-year-old midfielder.

“Regardless of contract lengths and plans made before the tournament, strong performances at a World Cup can suddenly change everything – for players’ futures and for their clubs," Matthäus wrote.

“The coaches, Sebastian Hoeneß (Stuttgart) and Niko Kovač (Borussia Dortmund), want to continue building something. They want to be successful not only in the Bundesliga but also internationally. They would not be delighted if they were to lose their top players again,” he added.

“But when it comes to successful World Cup stars today, we are talking about nine-figure transfer fees. And when immoral offers arrive, clubs like Stuttgart and Dortmund may eventually no longer be able to say no. Dortmund experienced this in 2023 as well, when Jude Bellingham moved to Real Madrid for more than €100 million just six months after the World Cup in Qatar.”

Nmecha is under contract with Borussia Dortmund until 2030, while Undav's deal with VfB Stuttgart runs until 2029.