Stuttgart reject Beşiktaş offer for defensive leader Jeff Chabot (28) | OneFootball

Kicker reports that VfB Stuttgart have rejected a Beşiktaş offer for defensive leader Jeff Chabot. The German magazine reports that the Istanbul-based club were prepared to pay just under €10m for the 28-year-old. The Bundesliga outfit immediately rebuffed the approach and continue to plan with Chabot ahead of the 2026/27 Bundesliga campaign.

The Swabians have previously valued their defensive leader considerably higher. Stuttgart reportedly demanded between €20m and €25m when Juventus expressed interest in Chabot during the 2024/25 Bundesliga  campaign.

VfB CEO Alexander Wehrle recently acknowledged that no player in Stuttgart’s squad is categorically unsellable. In Chabot’s case, however, interested clubs will have to submit a significantly larger proposal before the club considers entering serious negotiations.

Chabot returns following knee operation

Chabot returned to action during Saturday’s 2-2 preseason draw with Paris FC, playing just under 20 minutes against the French top-flight side. The former Köln defender had been restricted to rehabilitation work during the opening weeks of Stuttgart’s preparations after undergoing a planned minor operation on his knee during the summer.

Stuttgart confirmed at the beginning of preseason that Chabot’s workload would be increased gradually. Chabot’s central defensive partner Ramon Hendriks also returned after spending time away from full training because of a heel problem.

“They’re back and did a great job,” Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß said of the pair after the Paris FC draw. “Now it’s about staying healthy, taking the next physical steps, getting through the training camp well and then playing a few more minutes next weekend.”

Stuttgart host Premier League club Everton at the MHP Arena on August 8 before concluding their friendly program against Fulham one week later. Their competitive campaign begins with a DFB-Pokal fixture against Hansa Rostock on August 21.

Stuttgart continue to count on their ‘Bouncer’

Chabot’s imposing 1.95-metre frame and physical defensive style earned him the nickname “The Bouncer” during his time with Köln. The Hanau native followed an unusual route to Stuttgart, representing clubs in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy before joining the Swabians following Köln’s 2024 relegation.

Chabot has since developed into one of Stuttgart’s most important defensive figures. Hoeneß has also described the centre-back as an “absolute leader” and one of the club’s strongest aerial defenders.

Beşiktaş have shown concrete interest, but an offer below €10m was never likely to tempt Stuttgart. Unless the Turkish club return with a substantially improved proposal, Chabot is expected to remain a cornerstone of Hoeneß’s defense.

GGFN | Peter Weis