Juventus fight to sign 1.99 meters tall striker

The record-breaking sale of 23-year-old striker Nick Woltemade to Newcastle United brought VfB Stuttgart an unprecedented financial boost. The Bundesliga club reportedly received around €75 million for the transfer, marking one of the most lucrative deals in its history.

Surprisingly, Stuttgart chose not to immediately reinvest a portion of that sum into signing a direct replacement. Now, six months later, the club appears to have identified a promising candidate who could fill the void left by Woltemade’s departure.

A New Striking Prospect Emerges

The player in question is Bendegúz Kovács, a highly rated attacking talent currently playing for AZ Alkmaar’s under-19 team. The young Hungarian forward has been in sensational form, scoring 17 goals in just 16 matches at youth level.

According to reports from Sport1, it is not only his impressive goal tally that has caught Stuttgart’s attention, but also his overall profile, which bears strong similarities to that of Woltemade.

Standing at 1.99 meters tall, Kovács is even slightly taller than the German international. Despite his imposing physical presence, he is far from a traditional static target man.

Kovács combines height with agility, good balance, and strength on the ball, allowing him to contribute effectively to build-up play as well as finishing chances in the penalty area.

One notable difference compared to Woltemade is his preferred foot: Kovács is known for his powerful and accurate left foot, which adds another dimension to his attacking game.

Stuttgart will not have a free run at signing the young striker. Italian journalist Mirko Di Natale reports that European heavyweights Juventus and Premier League side Aston Villa are also closely monitoring Kovács’ development.

This level of interest underlines the forward’s potential and suggests that any transfer race could become highly competitive. However, Stuttgart may hold an important advantage.

Under head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, the club has earned a reputation as an ideal environment for young players to take the next step in their careers. In recent seasons, several talents have flourished at the club, developing from prospects into key performers—and in some cases, into established elite-level players.

If Stuttgart can convince Kovács that his pathway to first-team football and long-term development would be clearest in the Bundesliga, the club could yet turn its delayed search for a Woltemade successor into a well-timed and strategic move.

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