Official | Stuttgart confirm €15m sale of Anthony Rouault and purchases of Finn Jeltsch and Luca Jaquez | OneFootball

Stuttgart moved quickly on transfer deadline day to conclude three transfers revolving around the departure of centre-back Anthony Rouault. The sale of Rouault to Stade Rennes was confirmed on Monday. The Bundesliga outfit cashed in massively on the deal, obtaining a reported €15m for the 23-year-old.

The Swabians then brought in two central defenders immediately. Kicker reports that VfB paid Nürnberg €8m to acquire Germany U18 international and 2024 Germany U17 World Cup champion Finn Jeltsch. Nürnberg have had an especially lucrative close to the transfer window, selling Jens Castrop to Borussia Mönchengladbach for €4.5m and Stefanos Tzimas to Brighton & Hove Albion for €25m.

Stuttgart further hedged their bets and also bought Swiss U21 international Luca Jaquez from FC Luzern on deadline day. Kicker reports a €5.5m transfer fee in this case, meaning that €13.5m of the €15m generated from the Rouault sale has been immediately reinvested. Jeltsch (contract until 2030) could generate €2m more in bonus payments. No further details are offered on Jaquez’s contract, valid though 2029.

“I leave VfB with many fond memories,” Rouault noted in a farewell statement. “We have been able to experience an incredible number of special and successful moments together over the past year and a half. I am grateful to have been part of this journey and to have had an extremely positive time in Stuttgart. Merci VfB!”

“FCN is the club of my heart,” Jeltsch – described by VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth as “one of the most outstanding young players at his position in Germany” – said in his farewell statement. “The decision anything but easy. The chance to move to the Bundesliga is nevertheless something special, so I decided that I want to take it.“

“It’s a great opportunity and challenge for me to be able to play in the Bundesliga for VfB Stuttgart from here on out,” Jaquez added. ”I want to repay the trust placed in me with great commitment and performance and help the team achieve their goals.”

GGFN | Peter Weis