Kicker reports that VfB Stuttgart striker Jeremy Arévalo is closing in on a season-long loan move to Portuguese top-flight side Estrela Amadora. The 21-year-old Ecuador international is expected to leave Stuttgart temporarily after struggling to establish himself in Sebastian Hoeneß’ senior rotation since arriving from Racing Santander in January.
The destination also carries an unusual Bundesliga connection. Estrela Amadora were purchased at the end of August by an investor group involving Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels, Yann Sommer and Lucas Hernández.
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Jeremy Arévalo’s pathway narrows considerably at Stuttgart
Stuttgart paid approximately €7m to sign Arévalo from Racing Santander in January 2026 and handed the attacker a contract through 2031. The move was always intended as a long-term investment rather than an immediate solution, but the first eight months have provided little indication of a clear pathway into Hoeneß’ established attacking rotation.
Arévalo has made seven Bundesliga appearances since joining VfB and also featured for the reserves in the German third division last season. His production at reserve level nevertheless demonstrated why Stuttgart invested substantially in the youngster. The Ecuadorian scored five goals in only four 3. Liga appearances for Stuttgart II.
As detailed in Get German Football News’s 2026/27 VfB Stuttgart tactical preview, Arévalo already faced a difficult adjustment from Spanish second-division football to the significantly higher tempo of Germany’s top flight. Stuttgart’s subsequent squad planning made his position still more difficult.
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Deniz Undav remains the established attacking reference, while Ermedin Demirović provides another experienced senior option. Most significantly, Stuttgart invested approximately €25m in Germany U21 striker Dzenan Pejcinovic this summer. That pushed Arévalo further down the hierarchy and transformed what had initially been a developmental waiting game into a clearer squad-planning problem.
Arévalo set to become second post-deadline Stuttgart departure
Should the Estrela Amadora move proceed, Arévalo would become the second Stuttgart player to leave after the German transfer window had already closed. Badredine Bouanani found his own late escape route on Thursday, joining Rangers on a season-long loan after Scotland’s transfer window remained open beyond the Bundesliga deadline.
The 21-year-old Algerian had similarly slipped well down Hoeneß’ attacking hierarchy. Bouanani made only 14 Bundesliga appearances last season, nine as a substitute, and began the new campaign outside Stuttgart’s immediate plans. He failed to make the squad for the DFB-Pokal opener against Hansa Rostock, remained unused throughout the 5-1 Bundesliga defeat to Bayern Munich and was subsequently omitted from VfB’s Champions League squad.
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Kicker reports that Rangers will pay Stuttgart a loan fee of approximately €500,000 and possess a purchase option worth around €19m. That figure comes close to the €20m VfB paid OGC Nice for Bouanani only one year ago.
The two late loans continue a substantial Stuttgart squad reduction around the close of the window.
Spanish midfielder Chema Andrés completed a rapid €20m-plus move to Brighton after the Premier League club made its approach only hours before the deadline. Stuttgart also extended Mirza Catović’s contract through 2029 before sending the 19-year-old to Barcelona on loan.
Lazar Jovanović represented another notable late departure. Get German Football News covered Stuttgart’s €8m package with Udinese after the Serbian attacker had actually emerged as one of the strongest developmental performers of VfB’s preseason.
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Not every potential exit materialized.
Josha Vagnoman ultimately remained in Stuttgart despite interest from several Premier League clubs. Bilal El Khannouss also stayed despite approaches from abroad, including a reported €40m Al-Ittihad offer. Jamie Leweling remained part of Hoeneß’ squad after attracting significant interest of his own.
GGFN | Peter Weis
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