VfB Stuttgart's young striker Jeremy Arévalo is on the verge of a season-long loan transfer to Portuguese club Estrela Amadora, according to reports from Kicker. The 21-year-old Ecuador international has struggled to secure a regular spot in head coach Sebastian Hoeneß's lineup since joining Stuttgart from Racing Santander in January 2026.
Arévalo's anticipated move to Estrela Amadora comes after a challenging start to his career in the Bundesliga. Stuttgart invested around €7 million to bring him to Germany, signing him to a contract that runs until 2031. However, despite the club's long-term vision for the player, his first eight months have not shown a clear path to consistent playing time within the senior squad.
Since his arrival, Arévalo has made just seven appearances in the Bundesliga, while also playing for Stuttgart's reserve team in the third division. His performance at the reserve level was promising, as he netted five goals in four matches for Stuttgart II, showcasing the potential that led the club to invest heavily in him.
The transition from the Spanish second division to the fast-paced environment of Germany's top flight has proven to be a significant challenge for Arévalo. The competition for attacking positions has intensified, particularly with the addition of new signings. Stuttgart's recent acquisition of Germany U21 striker Dzenan Pejcinovic for approximately €25 million has further complicated Arévalo's situation, pushing him further down the pecking order.
If the loan to Estrela Amadora is finalized, Arévalo will join Badredine Bouanani as the second Stuttgart player to depart after the closure of the German transfer window. Bouanani recently secured a loan move to Rangers, having also found himself sidelined in Stuttgart's plans. Last season, Bouanani made only 14 Bundesliga appearances, and like Arévalo, he began the current campaign outside of the coach's immediate considerations.
The departures of Arévalo and Bouanani reflect a broader trend of squad reduction at Stuttgart as the club looks to streamline its roster. In addition to these two loans, Spanish midfielder Chema Andrés completed a significant transfer to Brighton shortly before the deadline, while Mirza Catović extended his contract with Stuttgart before being loaned to Barcelona.
While some players, such as Josha Vagnoman and Bilal El Khannouss, opted to remain with the club despite interest from other teams, the ongoing adjustments within the squad highlight Stuttgart's strategic focus on optimizing their player roster as they navigate the challenges of the Bundesliga season.
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