Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly monitoring VfB Stuttgart centre-back Finn Jeltsch, according to Caught Offside, as both Premier League giants look to strengthen their defensive ranks ahead of the coming seasons.
Why Man Utd Need Reinforcements
United’s current centre-back options look increasingly fragile. Matthijs de Ligt has been out for months with a back issue, while Leny Yoro has yet to fully adapt to Premier League football since his move from Lille. Harry Maguire is entering the twilight of his career with his contract expiring next summer, and Lisandro Martínez continues to battle fitness setbacks in the final year of his deal. Young Ayden Heaven remains a long-term prospect but needs careful game-time management. Against this backdrop, United have reportedly been impressed by Jeltsch’s composure and technical quality on the ball.
Competition Heats Up for Jeltsch
United face stiff competition, though. Arsenal, Juventus, and Bayern Munich are all keeping tabs on the 20-year-old, with the German giants currently considered the frontrunners. Jeltsch’s contract runs until 2030, giving Stuttgart real leverage if they’re forced into a sale — though the player himself isn’t pushing for an exit, seemingly content developing his game and eyeing Champions League football.
Liverpool’s Defensive Rebuild
Liverpool have already added Jeremy Jacquet and loanee Ronald Araújo this summer, but question marks remain elsewhere. Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have struggled for fitness in recent seasons, and Virgil van Dijk is approaching the latter stages of his career.
Standing at 6ft 2in and comfortable on both feet, Jeltsch’s versatility across centre-back and right-back makes him an appealing target for either English club.