Will Stuttgart get Morita as a replacement?
What fee is appropriate for Orel Mangala (24)? VfB Stuttgart are reportedly eyeing a sum of €30m, but the defensive midfielder has had his own thoughts. “If you ask me, this price is exaggerated,” explained the Belgian in an interview with “Het Nieuwsblad“. He sees himself more on the same level as his transfer market value. “I’m worth 20 million, maybe 25, but no one is paying 30 million for me. Certainly not in times of Covid.” But where is it supposed to go anyway?
At the start of the season, Mangala was still suffering from a torn muscle from last season at VfB. But quickly fought his way into the permanent staff of the Swabians, but ultimately only came from the bench. In the home win against Gladbach (3:2 after 0:2) he was not allowed to play for the first time (if fit). His contract runs until 2024, but Mangala emphasized: “In the summer it can actually be time for a change of scenery.” Meanwhile, a report from Portugal suggests that VfB have already set their sights on a substitute.
With Kimmich, Werner & Co.: The most expensive sales of VfB Stuttgart
Meanwhile, Mangala, who has been nominated for the national team for the first time, is confident in his image. “It’s true that the biggest clubs in Europe have me on their radar, but I can’t name any names. I can only say that I am looking for a nice sporting project. I want to join a club where I can develop further.” Rumors about Olympique Lyon and Galatasaray Istanbul are currently being discussed.
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At Mangala sale: Will VfB Stuttgart get Morita from Portugal?
It is questionable whether the search for a club away from VfB will be as easy as it sounds in Mangala’s words. He himself admits that and sees it as a “sign of appreciation” when VfB call such a price for him. He said: “Stuttgart doesn’t want to just let me go like that. It shows that I left something here.”
Should Mangala actually go, Stuttgart seems to have replacements in mind. According to the Portuguese newspaper “Record”, Santa Clara’s president named his protégé Hidemasa Morita (26) as a candidate for VfB. The club boss said that there were talks with Sporting Lisbon “and also with Stuttgart, where he should replace the Belgian Orel Mangala.” The contract of the Japanese six is also valid in Portugal until 2024.
Despite his big tones, Mangala doesn’t put himself under any pressure. If there is no one who meets VfB Stuttgart’s requirements, “then I’ll just keep working,” says the Bundesliga club’s EUR 1.8 million purchase, which Mangala 2017 came from the Anderlecht youth team after spending a year on loan with the U19s Borussia Dortmund and became A youth champion. On an interim loan to Hamburg, he also played 34 competitive games for the HSV professionals.
Mangala on stepping up to pro level: “Oddly no interest in Belgium”
In the interview, Mangala also shared his memories of starting as a professional. In his home country he has only played in the junior division. He stated: “Oddly enough, there was no interest in Belgium, I had to go abroad, even if it wasn’t the easiest way. I didn’t speak German and had to go to boarding school, but in hindsight it couldn’t have gone better. At Dortmund I played my way into the limelight for Stuttgart. I really made my breakthrough on loan at Hamburg, but at Stuttgart I discovered the Bundesliga. I owe this club a lot.”
His own approach to improving the remaining time at VfB, however long it may be, is the scorer yield. “My stats need to be improved. I’m very self-critical,” said Mangala, who only netted three times in 103 appearances for the traditional club and prepared ten goals. He added as part of his self-reflection: “And I’m a bad loser. If we don’t win, I won’t be available for a few hours.”
VfB squad 02/03: The “Junge Wilden” who finished runners-up
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