Jan-Niklas Beste: Return to the Bundesliga is imminent!

Jan-Niklas Beste could leave Benfica Lisbon after just six months. The 25-year-old professional footballer moved from Heidenheim to Benfica in the summer of 2024 for around eight million euros, where his contract is valid until 2029. So far, however, Beste has not received the playing time he hoped for. In a total of 19 competitive games, including eight times in the starting line-up, he played 783 minutes. In the league he was only in the starting line-up five times in 16 games, while in the Champions League he was only used as a substitute.

The situation surrounding Beste has recently led to speculation about a possible change. According to information from Soester Anzeiger Beste has a clear preference for a return to the Bundesliga. RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart are showing interest in the player. Premier League side Crystal Palace have also been linked with Beste, but a move to England is out of the question for him. The most likely scenario is a winter loan with an option to buy, with Benfica wanting to get back at least the transfer fee of eight million euros in the event of a sale.

Open options for best

Both sides seem open to a quick change. Coach Roger Schmidt, who originally wanted to sign him, left the club shortly after Beste's arrival. In addition, RB Leipzig has a need on the right side as Benjamin Henrichs is injured, while VfB Stuttgart has a vacancy on the left side due to Frans Krätzig leaving on loan.

How 90min reported that Beste has already decided that he wants to leave Benfica in the winter. However, a move to Leipzig could be complicated with talks reportedly “far away”. Should Beste return to the Bundesliga, he could be a reinforcement for VfB Stuttgart as an offensive player, even if he is not the ideal choice as a classic left-back. So far there have been no formalized discussions between VfB and Beste, but the situation could change in the coming days.