Credit: Imago

Cameron Smith

Fri 22 May 2026 17:10, UK

Everton are reportedly interested in VfB Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling, which would clearly spell the end of Dwight McNeil.

Reports abroad suggest Everton have a concrete interest in Leweling, although so do Roma and Bournemouth.

After more than playing his part as Stuttgart secured a return to the Champions League, Leweling is set to go to the World Cup with Germany in a matter of weeks, while his current VfB contract runs until 2029.

While a deal could prove tricky, it signals Everton’s intent to fix their issues out wide under David Moyes, with a clear upgrade on the struggling Dwight McNeil in mind.

Jamie Leweling has become a key man in Stuttgart – for multiple reasons

Initially joining on loan from Union Berlin in 2023, Leweling would score four times and register five assists as Stuttgart returned to the Champions League after a 14-year absence – a year on from narrowly escaping relegation.

Since then, he has gone from strength, with the current campaign being his best yet, as Die Schwaben have secured a Champions League spot, while they aim to retain their status as DFB-Pokal holders in Saturday’s cup final.

Stylistically, Leweling is a player with a dribble-first mentality – something that has been evident since his move in 2023.

However, his creative instincts and decision-making in terms of when to run at defenders have improved significantly under Sebastian Hoeness.

Even on days when he does not score or assist, he remains a huge threat, with opposition defenders often doubling up on him out wide.

Having previously turned down a big offer from Bournemouth in January, Leweling is not exactly up for grabs this summer, with any deal likely needing to be a substantial one to prise him away.

In January, Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth told Bild: “This shows that over the past three and a half years, we have become more financially independent and are able to turn down such offers, should they arise.

Wohlgemuth has also previously described Leweling as a “difference maker” following his 2024 contract extension.

In a side that ranks third in the Bundesliga for possession, with 57.8 per cent, and second for goals scored, with 71, the 25-year-old has continued to develop from a counter-attacking winger into someone capable of playing intricate, possession-based football.

He is also a fantastic character around the dressing room, with the winger being one big bundle of energy away from the pitch, who remains a fan favourite as a result.

This versatility would be a huge asset to any club able to prise him away from the south-western capital.

Leweling would be a clear upgrade on Dwight McNeil – but is a deal too tricky?

Everton’s problems out wide have persisted throughout the campaign, with Jack Grealish’s injury hampering the Toffees for months.

As a result, much of the creative burden has fallen on Iliman Ndiaye, while McNeil has continued to struggle, with Moyes opting not to use either Tyler Dibling or Tyrique George.

Heading into the final match of the season, McNeil had been used for just two minutes, with Moyes instead turning to Leweling’s compatriot, as well as midfielder-by-trade Merlin Rohl, out on the flank.

Leweling would offer an immediate solution, with his blistering pace on the counter a huge asset that could be used perfectly at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The trouble is that Stuttgart are not in a position where they need to sell him, especially if Angelo Stiller were to move on for big money this summer.

In terms of stature in Germany, Stuttgart sit alongside the likes of Hamburg, Schalke and Werder Bremen as one of the country’s biggest clubs outside the obvious giants, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

On top of that, Champions League qualification has made any prospective deal with Stuttgart incredibly difficult, unless Everton were willing to pay a huge fee.

The overall aim at the club is to be challenging for titles sooner rather than later, and many of the current core are seen as a big part of that, meaning any move would likely require a transfer fee that simply would not be worth it for Everton.

Thankfully, though, it does signal an intent to fix the recurring issues at Hill Dickinson Stadium over the summer.

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