With the Bundesliga season approaching and a Champions League campaign on the horizon, Sebastian Hoeneß has made his frustration with Stuttgart's transfer business impossible to ignore. Speaking from the club's training camp in Grassau, the coach was direct: Stuttgart need to add quality, not lose it. His comments, reported by GOAL, carry extra weight given that this is not the first time he has publicly pushed the club's hierarchy. A year ago, he reacted with similar anger when Nick Woltemade left for Newcastle United without adequate replacement.

The striker pursuit tells the story of Stuttgart's summer. Dzenan Pejcinovic of relegated Wolfsburg is the primary target, but as sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth acknowledged after the 2-2 friendly draw with Paris FC, the club remains far from a deal. Wolfsburg want at least 25 million euros and are in no rush to lower that figure. Stuttgart's latest offer reportedly fell short, and FC Porto have now entered the race, making Wolfsburg even less likely to negotiate downward.

Off the pitch, Jamie Leweling's situation has added uncertainty. The winger missed the Paris FC friendly and the Grassau camp due to a persistent illness, and a photo appearing to show him at Stuttgart airport bound for London briefly fuelled transfer speculation. The club moved quickly to play down any departure talk, with Deniz Undav publicly dismissing the rumours.

Stuttgart face Everton in a friendly on August 8 before competitive football begins. Hoeneß wants his squad strengthened before that window closes.