Southampton's Caspar Jander is reportedly a target for VfB Stuttgart in the summer.
Jander has impressed since arriving on the south coast for £10.5 million in August 2025. Jander has made 31 Championship appearances and scored twice. His goal away at Charlton Athletic was one of the Saints' best team goals of the season.
An under-21 German international with potential
The 22-year-old was previously on the books of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 as a youngster before breaking into the first team at MSV Duisburg, making his senior debut at the age of 18.
After three seasons in the German third tier, Jander stepped up to 2. Bundesliga with Nürnberg, competing in the same division as Saints teammates and fellow summer signings Joshua Quarshie and Damion Downs.
Jander started 32 of Nürnberg’s 34 league matches during the 2024/25 season, contributing three goals and nine assists from central midfield.
A Germany Under-21 international, he played against England during last summer’s European Championship, picking up a runners-up medal.
Jander faces stiff competition from these four players
At Southampton, Jander suffers stiff competition for a starting place. The Saints have an embarrassment of riches in midfield with Cameron Bragg, Shea Charles, Flynn Downes, and under-21 talent Barnaby Williams all impressing this season.
There has even been speculation that he would not be particularly missed if he were to leave Southampton in the summer, given the strength in depth at the club.
However, Jander is one of those players who is missed by the team when they are not in the side, but not always given the credit that they deserve when they are playing. He does the majority of his work in defensive transitions, closing down quickly and harrying the player in possession.
These qualities would make him an ideal fit for a Bundesliga club where the pace of the game is comparable to that of the Premier League.
An opportunity to play Champions League football
VfB Stuttgart are currently fourth in the table and virtually guaranteed European qualification as things stand. Occupying the final Champions League place, Sebastian Hoeness' will hope to qualify again after missing out this season.
Stuttgart's 2024/25 Champions League campaign saw them almost qualify for the knockout stages after finishing on 10 points. A 1-0 away win at Juventus was probably the highlight of the League phase.
The opportunity to move back to his home country and play Champions League football may prove too much for Jander to resist, even if Southampton get promoted this season.
And if Southampton do find themselves dining at English football's top table again next year, there are no guarantees that Jander will feature.