As Enzo Millot edges closer to a summer departure, VfB Stuttgart have begun a proactive search for his successor — and their attention has now taken a surprising turn. According to Bild, the Bundesliga side is pivoting away from initial target Noah Darvich and setting its sights firmly on Paul Wanner, the highly rated Bayern Munich youngster, as their ideal replacement.
Millot, 22, has caught the eye of major suitors including Paris Saint-Germain and clubs from Saudi Arabia, with his €20 million release clause making him an accessible target in the current market. The French midfielder played a pivotal role in Stuttgart’s resurgence last season, but the club is now preparing for life without him.
Initially, Stuttgart had considered Noah Darvich, the 17-year-old Barcelona talent who is reportedly frustrated by limited opportunities in Spain. However, interest has cooled as Stuttgart realigns its recruitment strategy toward Wanner — another German youth international who combines creativity, work rate, and tactical intelligence in the number 10 role.
Wanner, 18, spent the past season gaining valuable experience on loan at Heidenheim and is currently representing Germany’s U21 side. While Stuttgart’s preferred terms for a potential deal — whether a loan or a permanent move — are still unclear, sources suggest talks are progressing with an eye toward a more permanent solution.
The decision to prioritize Wanner is seen as a strategic one. Stuttgart’s sporting leadership views him as a better fit in their system and a more immediate contributor at the Bundesliga level. His technical quality and versatility could make him a seamless successor to Millot, should the Frenchman’s exit materialize.
But Stuttgart’s summer plans don’t stop at the number 10 role. The club is also in the market for reinforcements in central midfield — specifically to add depth behind Atakan Karazor and Angelo Stiller — as well as exploring options to bolster the striker position.
With VfB returning to European competition next season, the club is keen to build a deeper, more dynamic squad. And if Paul Wanner does arrive, it could mark one of the shrewdest signings of the Bundesliga summer — and a powerful signal of Stuttgart’s ambitions moving forward.
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