Galatasaray appear to be edging closer to a deal for VfB Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirović, according to Turkish transfer insider Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, with the reigning Turkish champions understood to be closing in on an agreement for the centre-forward.
VfB Stuttgart have so far knocked back an opening offer of €15m from Galatasaray, a proposal that was rejected without much deliberation. Demirović arrived at the club for €23m from Augsburg in 2024, and Stuttgart appear determined not to let him leave for anything close to a loss on that fee.
Sabuncuoglu reports that talks between the two clubs have progressed significantly since that opening bid was turned down, with Galatasaray now waiting on a response to an improved proposal.
The Süper Lig champions have identified Demirović as their priority target to strengthen the centre-forward position ahead of the new season.
Stuttgart's resistance is complicated by their own business up front. The club recently sold forward Jovan Milošević to Sporting Braga for €9m and have since brought in Dženan Pejčinović as a replacement, meaning any departure for Demirović would leave Sebastian Hoeneß needing to dip back into the market before the window shuts, regardless of the fee Galatasaray end up paying.
Demirović has been a reliable source of goals in the Bundesliga since his move from Augsburg, and his experience leading the line would represent a clear upgrade for Galatasaray as they look to add further firepower to their squad. Whether Stuttgart ultimately sanction the sale may come down to how quickly they can identify a replacement of their own.
Eintracht Frankfurt have also been credited with interest in the 28-year-old as they continue their own search for attacking reinforcements, though there is no indication yet that the Bundesliga club have made any concrete move.
For now, Galatasaray appear to be the more advanced suitor, and Stuttgart's stance is likely to soften only if the Turkish club's next offer comes closer to matching what the Swabians paid to sign him in the first place.
Demirović has previously said he is happy at the club and has no intention of forcing an exit, but that stance would inevitably be tested by an offer Stuttgart's board find acceptable.