Kicker Report: Stuttgart consider EPL keepers Ortega and Vlachodimos to replace Nübel

George Moissidis, VfB Stuttgart correspondent for Germany’s Kicker Magazine, reports that Stuttgart have two goalkeeping candidates in mind should current #1 Alexander Nübel move on once the current season concludes. 

VfB Stuttgart have made no secret of their desire to retain current #1 goalkeeper Alexander Nübel – currently in Württemberg on loan from FC Bayern München – once the season concludes. Keeping Nübel in Stuttgart nevertheless looks to be difficult given that there is no agreed-upon purchase clause in the 27-year-old’s loan contract.

Nübel himself may wish to move on to a different station. The net-minder once touted as Manuel Neuer’s eventual replacement on the German national team has still not been called up to the Nationalmannschaft. This despite the fact that many of his Stuttgart teammates have made the jump to Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann’s selection.

George Moissidis – VfB Stuttgart correspondent for Germany’s preeminent footballing publication – reports that the Swabians are presently eyeing up two potential replacements for Nübel as they most likely prepare to play Champions’ League football next year. Two keepers with Bundesliga experience are, per Moissidis, in the focus of the VfB front office.

Both players being considered play for sides in England’s top division. Stuttgart native Odysseas Vlachodimos eventually found his way to the Isle after leaving his hometown academy club in January of 2016. The 39-times-capped Greek international reportedly wishes to leave EPL club Nottingham Forest due to a lack of playing time.

Moissidis claims that Alexander Wehrle, Fabian Wohlgemuth, and the rest of the VfB front office are also interested in bringing former DSC Arminia Bielefeld mainstay Stefan Ortega Moreno back to German football. The 31-year-old mostly warms the bench for Manchester City. Ortega Moreno has made just six appearances over the last two years for “the Citizens”.

Stuttgart cannot organize a new loan for Nübel as his contract with Bayern expires at the end of next season. There’s been some talk of the German giants potentially selling him to the Swabians for approximately one half of his current estimated €10 million market worth. Nübel has started 23 league fixtures for Stuttgart this season, keeping eight clean sheets.

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