Hoeness rejects Galatasaray transfer interest in Demirovic and El Khannouss

Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness has publicly dismissed reports linking two of his players, Ermedin Demirovic and Bilal El Khannouss, to a potential January transfer to Galatasaray. Following the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League match between the two clubs on November 3, 2026, Hoeness addressed comments made by his counterpart, Okan Buruk, regarding the future of the Stuttgart duo.

Galatasaray, which secured a 2-0 victory at RAMS Park to bring its tournament point total to six, reportedly expressed an interest in the players during the post-match discussions, as reported by Fanatik. However, Hoeness stated he does not find such public remarks appropriate, noting that he avoids discussing players he is scouting or targeting for transfer.

Hoeness Criticizes Public Transfer Commentary

Speaking to the German publication Bild, Hoeness emphasized that he is not concerned about the immediate future of his squad. “In football, I don’t fear anything. I am not worried about these two players,” Hoeness said. “I see and feel every day how happy they are at Stuttgart.”

While Hoeness acknowledged that he had met Buruk and found him to be a “sympathetic” figure, he took issue with the timing and nature of the Galatasaray manager’s comments.

Player Stance on Potential Move

Amid the speculation, Bilal El Khannouss addressed his own future during an interview with HT Spor. When asked about a potential transfer to the Turkish club, the 22-year-old Moroccan international stated, “God knows,” but expressed a clear preference should he ever leave Germany. “Hopefully you will see me in Turkey. But I must say this: I would only play for Galatasaray,” El Khannouss said.

El Khannouss also took the opportunity to praise Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, describing him as a “world-class, top-level forward” who is making a significant impact in Istanbul.

Galatasaray’s Recruitment Strategy

The interest in the Stuttgart players aligns with Galatasaray’s broader efforts to bolster its roster during the upcoming winter window. Fatih Demireli, the club’s Development Director, confirmed to Kicker that Galatasaray had held formal discussions regarding El Khannouss and Demirovic during the summer transfer period.

Demireli explained that the club ultimately decided to pursue other options to balance the squad, specifically citing the need to adhere to Turkish league roster regulations. “We had meetings with Bilal El Khannouss, his representatives, and Stuttgart, but at some point, a decision had to be made,” Demireli stated. “We eventually signed Aleksey Batrakov, and we are very happy with his development.”

Galatasaray’s recent success in the Champions League, fueled by two goals from Batrakov against Stuttgart, has intensified focus on the club’s recruitment plans for January.