VfB Stuttgart looking to upgrade midfield with Leuven’s Ezechiel Banzuzi and Dynamo Kyiv’s Mykola Shaparenko of interest | OneFootball

Both Bild and Sky Germany reports that VfB Stuttgart are planning to upgrade their midfield in the summer, especially with potential European football next season.

Stuttgart are currently 10th in the Bundesliga and are in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal; however, with how tight the top 10 are, being in with a chance of winning the Pokal means Europe is not out of the question. Midfield is one of the areas that will be improved upon.

At the MHP Arena, they want to increase the competition in midfield for Angelo Stiller and Atakan Karazor as they do not see Yannik Keitel as being able to secure a permanent place in the team. That is why Stuttgart are interested in Leuven midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi.

Stuttgart are said to have already held talks with the 20-year-old’s representatives. OHL are expected to demand a double-digit million fee for Banzuzi, who has also attracted interest from the Premier League, Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco.

The other area of midfield that will be addressed is replacing Enzo Millot. The Olympic silver medalist is flirting with an exit in the summer due to a release clause, and Stuttgart are preparing for his departure. Dynamo Kyiv’s Mykola Shaparenko is a potential candidate, the Ukrainian international will likely cost around €10m.

Hertha Berlin’s Ibrahim Maza has also been linked as a Millot replacement.

GGFN | Jack Meenan