Stuttgart have maintained that Germany international Antonio Rudiger will stay at the club for at least one more season, after being linked with Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg.
Rudiger, 22, has impressed with his performances at centre-back and, earlier this month, Stuttgart confirmed widespread interest in the defender and announced that should a club meet their asking price of €18 million, Rudiger would be allowed to move.
However, shortly after, Rudiger was forced to undergo surgery on his knee and interest dwindled. The player, who is under contract at Stuttgart until 2017, remains sidelined ahead of the start of the Bundesliga in a fortnight but his club are confident he will stay.
"Right now, I'd like to think that Toni will stay with us," VfB president Bernd Wahler told reporters during a PR event in Stuttgart on Thursday.
During the summer break, Stuttgart reinforced their defence with the signings of left-back Philip Heise from second tier club 1.FC Heidenheim and Atletico Madrid's Emiliano Insua, who can play at both left-back and centre-back.
But, with Rudiger most likely staying put, one of his teammates could still be headed towards the Premier League.
On Thursday, sources told ESPN FC that Tottenham Hotspur are ready to step up their interest in the club's 19-year-old attacker Timo Werner.