Arsenal’s Konstantinos Mavropanos will now join Stuttgart permanently – but that won’t rule out joining West Ham United this summer.
Stuttgart confirmed their Bundesliga status on Saturday afternoon in truly dramatic fashion.
Needing a victory against Koln whilst also needing Hertha Berlin to lose at Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart were staring at a relegation playoff.
It all changed in the last 10 minutes.
Dortmund went and beat Hertha 2-1 thanks to a late Youssoufa Moukoko goal, but Stuttgart still needed to take care of their own result.
In the dying seconds, Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo headed home a dramatic winner, sparking absolutely wild scenes.
Stuttgart avoid the relegation playoffs and can look forward to another Bundesliga season – and signing Arsenal man Mavropanos.
Arsenal’s Konstantinos Mavropanos will now join Stuttgart permanently
Arsenal sent defender Mavropanos on loan to Stuttgart for the season with an option for a permanent move.
This move meant Mavropanos was again being signed by former Arsenal transfer chief Sven Mislintat.
The Athletic now claim that Stuttgart actually informed Arsenal weeks ago that they were activating their purchase option on Mavropanos.
Stuttgart staying up would have triggered the permanent deal anyway but they made it clear some time ago that they were keeping him.
Stuttgart will pay just £4.5million to sign Mavropanos permanently after a £500,000 loan fee.
That doesn’t feel like an awful lot of money for the defender, with Bundesliga commentator Derek Rae calling the move a ‘masterstroke’ from Stuttgart.
What may really sting for Arsenal is that Stuttgart may actually flip Mavropanos for quick profit this summer.
Bild claim that West Ham United want to sign Mavropanos in a £17million deal this summer.
Arsenal no longer have any control over Mavropanos and his future – and they could end up seeing him back in London with West Ham very soon.
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