Hoffenheim was interested in VfB Stuttgart talent Mirza Catovic last winter and offered four million euros for the midfielder. The 19-year-old has now opted for a move to Barcelona Atlètic, FC Barcelona's second team.
Catovic will travel to Spain on Monday. Barcelona secured a purchase option worth around 3.5 million euros. The young German was already keen on a move in January, but VfB Stuttgart blocked a transfer at that time. Besides Hoffenheim, RB Salzburg had also tabled a four-million-euro offer.
Mirza Catovic is 19 years old and spent the last four years in VfB Stuttgart's youth academy. He made 45 appearances for Stuttgart's U19 and U21 teams in the third division. Although he was named in the Europa League squad seven times by coach Sebastian Hoeneß, he never made his professional debut. Catovic is a regular starter for Germany's U19 national team. At the European Championship this summer, he played the full 90 minutes in four of five matches, including the 0-2 final against Spain.
TSG Hoffenheim was among the serious suitors for Catovic. The offer from the Kraichgau club stood at four million euros and was submitted in January. This was a response to the player's desire to move at the time. In the end, the Bundesliga side could not secure his signature. This summer, Catovic was also linked with clubs from Italy and Belgium before the move to Barcelona materialized.
Hoffenheim started the new Bundesliga season with a defeat and sits in 12th place after one match. The record shows zero points, two goals scored, and three conceded. In the table, TSG is already three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. The focus now shifts entirely to the next fixture. On September 5, Hoffenheim hosts Borussia Dortmund, who are currently fifth. All upcoming fixtures can be found on our fixtures page.
Coach Sebastian Hoeneß's midfield is stocked with experienced players like 31-year-old Grischa Prömel and 25-year-old Angelo Stiller. Captain Atakan Karazor (29) and Spanish talent Chema Andrés (21) complete the options. The current squad composition can be tracked on our squad overview. The opening day defeat highlights the need for consistent performance the team must show in the coming weeks. The next home game against Dortmund provides the immediate opportunity for a response.
