SC Paderborn and VfL Osnabrück had previously expressed interest in VfB Stuttgart's 18-year-old goalkeeper Florian Hellstern. However, following Paderborn's promotion, the club reportedly does not believe he is ready for the Bundesliga, while Osnabrück is now considered no longer in contention. According to 'Bild', Energie Cottbus is the leading candidate to sign Hellstern on loan. The move is likely part of an exchange, as Cottbus's goalkeeper Marius Funk is set to join Stuttgart.