Stuttgart head into a season of Champions League football with their squad taking clearer shape, though the window ahead of their DFB-Pokal opener at Hansa Rostock on August 21 is still open for business. The most significant development of recent weeks has been the arrival of Dzenan Pejcinovic, signed from relegated Wolfsburg for €25 million, making him the club's second-most expensive signing in history behind Deniz Undav. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals across all competitions last season and chose Stuttgart over Porto and RB Leipzig, signing a contract until 2031.

Pejcinovic's arrival gives coach Sebastian Hoeneß genuine depth in attack. With Undav and Ermedin Demirovic already in the squad, Hoeneß can rotate across three competitions without weakening his options. Demirovic, whose future briefly attracted speculation linking him with Eintracht Frankfurt and Fenerbahce, has been clear about his intentions. He said he wants to score as many goals as possible and have a successful season, and Hoeneß backed him publicly, calling him one of the club's best players.

Hoeneß had pushed hard for reinforcements earlier in the window, publicly stating that Stuttgart needed to add quality rather than lose it ahead of a Champions League campaign. The Pejcinovic deal answers that call, at least in attack. New Germany coach Jürgen Klopp has reportedly already contacted the club about the striker, flagging him as a candidate for the Euro 2028 squad. Defender Max Jeltsch, meanwhile, brushed aside reported Bayern Munich interest, saying his focus is fully on the season at Stuttgart. The club lost their final pre-season friendly 1-0 to Fulham but now turn attention to competitive action.