Real Madrid and Barça battle for German wonderkid!

At just 20 years old, Finn Jeltsch’s stock is soaring: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and several English clubs are monitoring him.

Finn Jeltsch is becoming one of the most closely watched defenders in Europe. According to Sky Sport Germany, scouts from FC Barcelona and Inter Milan were in the stands during Stuttgart’s 3-1 victory over Viking Stavanger in the Champions League to closely monitor the young German centre-back.

Several Premier League sides are also reportedly keeping an eye on his progress. At Stuttgart, this rapid rise is no coincidence: having arrived from Nuremberg in February 2025, Jeltsch quickly became an important member of the squad.

His value has already risen to €45 million

The 20-year-old defender stands 1.88 metres tall and combines power, speed and quality in possession. His progress is also reflected in his valuation, now estimated at around €45 million according to information reported by Sky Sport.

Since the start of the 2026/2027 season, Jeltsch has already made six appearances in all competitions. In the Bundesliga, he has played four matches and provided one assist. His contract with VfB runs until 30 June 2030, putting Stuttgart in a strong position should approaches arrive during the next transfer windows.

Real Madrid are also monitoring him

The competition is not limited to Barça and Inter. According to Spanish daily AS, Real Madrid are also monitoring Jeltsch as they consider the future of their central defence. José Mourinho’s club are reportedly seeking a long-term option, with Antonio Rüdiger entering the final year of his contract.

Real have already been very active in recent months in preparing for the future, particularly in defence. Ibrahima Konaté joined Los Merengues this summer, proof that the position remains a strategic priority for the Madrid club’s management.

First call-up with Germany

Jeltsch’s progress has also been rewarded at international level. Jürgen Klopp called him up for the first time to the Germany squad during this international break. The defender remained on the bench during the 2-0 win over Serbia, but this first involvement with the senior team confirms his rise to another level.

At Stuttgart, sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth is refusing for now to fuel the rumours of a departure. The German club nevertheless knows that if Jeltsch continues on this trajectory, approaches from major European clubs should quickly become much more concrete.

Read also: Premier League: September’s manager of the month revealed! (Official)

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

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