Stuttgart sporting director Sven Mislintat has confirmed the club are preparing for the possible exit of Sasa Kalajdzic before the transfer deadline.
Kalajdzic was last month linked with a move to Manchester United, with Sky Germany reporting the Red Devils have held talks with the striker’s agents.
The Mail reported United are considering both Kalajdzic and Red Bull Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko, with The MEN reporting the club could still make two attacking signings before the transfer deadline.
Stuttgart are well aware they may not be able to keep hold of Kalajdzic, and are preparing for all eventualities.
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Stuttgart looking for alternative
The Bundesliga side state that so far they have no offers for Kalajdzic, even though United, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and West Ham have all been linked, SWR Sport in Germany report.
Mislintat said: “I keep hearing that Sasa is one of the candidates for a change, but so far there have been no offers.”
He added: “It is also clear to us that we have to do our homework. We are preparing to pack a back-up behind Sasa.”
Stuttgart’s objective this season is simply to avoid relegation, and so signing for a club at the top of the league, whichever country, would be an attractive proposition for the striker.
Mislintat knows that the back-up signed ‘behind’ Kalajdzic could quickly be asked to lead the line if the Austrian striker is sold.
Talksport suggest the striker could cost as little as £17 million, making him a bargain addition if United want him.
As it stands, Kalajdzic is expected to lead the line for Stuttgart when their Bundesliga campaign kicks off against RB Leipzig next Sunday.
Whether he will still be at the club a month later when they face Schalke on September 3, is another matter, and the club are clearly preparing for the possibility that he isn’t.
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