Kicker, Sky Germany, and Holland’s De Gelderlander now all report that VfL Wolfsburg have wrapped up a €10m purchase of Japanese attacker Kento Shiogai. The Lower Saxon Bundesliga outfit prioritized the 22-year-old as a transfer target this month. Until recently, however, Germany’s green company team were prepared to haggle over the Japan U19 international. Now, Wolfsburg have simply decided to invoke Shiogai’s release clause in his NEC Nijmegen contract.

Bad injury news spurns Wolfsburg into action

The recent unfortunate news that streaking lead striker Dzenan Pejcinovic has incurred a foot injury leaves Wolfsburg in desperate need of more attacking assistance. Some sources, including the local Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, report that Pejcinovic’s injury may potentially be serious enough to sideline the 20-year-old for several weeks. Shiogai will thus prove a very welcome addition. 

Shiogai signing likely ends Wolfsburg’s Charlie Cresswell pursuit

A potential move of England U21 international Charlie Cresswell to Wolfsburg never appeared particularly likely. Shiogai’s signing probably translates to the only major splurge the German Wolves can hope to make with their January transfer budget. Wolfsburg haven’t concluded a January sale yet and are already operating with an estimated 2025/26 transfer deficit of €10m-€11m.