Kicker reports that VfB Stuttgart have vetoed a €3.5m Hoffenheim move for 18-year-old midfield talent Mirza Catovic. The youngster – who features regularly for the VfB reserves in the 3. Liga – was all set to switch third division locales and join TSG II. Stuttgart nevertheless vetoed the deal based on the inability to build a buyback option into the sale.
Who is Mirza Catovic?
The teenage defensive midfield talent broke into the VfB reserve squad late in 2024 and, as a result, received a fully professional contract in February 2025. Since March 2025, Catovic has started in a variety of midfield positions for VfB II and can also play in central defense. His 16 3. Liga starts this season enabled him to raise his estimated market value from €800,000 to €1.5m.
Stuttgart’s depth at the midfield position leaves Catovic without near-term playing prospects in Württemberg, but the BaWü capital city side still wishes to preserve the opportunity to retain his services. Hoffenheim declined Stuttgart’s request to include a buyback clause, which in turn lead to the nixing of the transfer.
Will Catovic still be on the move?
Kicker reports that the matter of Catovic remains far from settled. RB Salzburg are also interested in the young talent. Assuming the Austrian Red Bulls are willing to accede to Stuttgart’s request for a buyback clause, Catovic could still be sold. The transfer window in Germany remains open until Monday, February 2nd at 20:00 CET.
Bundesliga outfits can still sell or loan out players to foreign clubs in countries within which the transfer window remains open after that, however. In Austria, the transfer window will not officially close until Friday, February 6th. There will thus remain plenty of time for Stuttgart and Salzburg to close a deal.
