After Waldemar Anton moved from Stuttgart to Borussia Dortmund in summer 2024, midfielder Atakan Karazor inherited the captain's armband from the defender. A report now suggests that Stuttgart could soon have a new captain. A sale of Karazor is reportedly not being ruled out.

In summer 2019, Atakan Karazor moved from Holstein Kiel to Stuttgart, where the Turkish international (2 caps) has since made 231 competitive appearances. In the previous season, Karazor's playing time declined significantly for the first time in years: in 2024/25 he played 2,626 minutes in the league alone, compared to just 1,891 in the previous season.

A figure that could decline further, according to reports from Bild.

New signing Grischa Prömel is reportedly putting considerable pressure on Karazor in defensive midfield. Prömel is said to have even edged ahead of the 29-year-old. Additionally, youngster Andrés Chema has also reportedly overtaken Karazor in the pecking order. With DFB star Angelo Stiller established in the number eight role, the situation is becoming tighter for Karazor. According to Bild, a sale is no longer being ruled out.

Should there be concrete interest in Karazor, Stuttgart would reportedly be willing to hold talks.

Turkish top-flight club said to show interest

Whether such interest already exists remains unclear from the report, as Karazor's contract with Stuttgart doesn't expire until summer 2028, which would mean a transfer fee would be required.

Recently, Turkish journalist Hasan Tüncel linked Karazor with Trabzonspor. Citing unnamed sources close to the player, Tüncel wrote on X that a deal would be difficult but not impossible.

For Karazor, it would be his first engagement outside Germany. The Essen-born player began his career in Bochum's youth academy, then played for Borussia Dortmund's reserve side before moving to Kiel and subsequently to Stuttgart.