Speaking to Sport Bild, Deniz Undav has expressed his interest in staying at VfB Stuttgart permanently beyond the end of his loan at the end of the summer.
When asked about his future, Undav said: “I can say that I feel totally comfortable at VfB. We are a unit, the fans are insane. A real team has grown together. I can certainly imagine staying there longer.” Undav’s loan at Stuttgart expires in the summer and it is reported that there is a release clause in the loan agreement with Brighton worth €12m which was said to be too expensive for Stuttgart.
During Undav’s time at Stuttgart, he has gone from being a backup to Sehrou Guirassy to becoming one of their key players during the absence of the Guinean. In 20 games this season, Undav has 14 goals and four assists and his form has not only seen him win November Player of the Month in the Bundesliga but the 27-year-old is now linked with a potential call-up to the German national team ahead of the March international break.
With the future of Undav’s striker partner Guirassy up in the air. Stuttgart may already have his replacement in the team in Undav. If Stuttgart continues on its current trajectory, staying at VfB could open the door for Champions League football next season, which would prove to be another draw for Undav in staying in the South of Germany.
Before joining Stuttgart in the summer, Undav had never played in the top flight of German football. The 27-year-old’s career in Germany was mainly in the 3.Liga with Meppen before a move to the Belgian second division with Union Saint-Gillloise. Undav helped USG to promotion and then challenge for the title in their first Belgian Pro League season. The striker would then move to USG’s parent club Brighton, where he has struggled to impress.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
