VfL Wolfsburg are pushing to secure Hertha BSC goalkeeper Tjark Ernst as their new first-choice shot-stopper, though the 22-year-old has yet to confirm he will make the switch to the Volkswagen Arena.
According to reports from Wolfsburger Allgemeine and Aller-Zeitung, the Bundesliga club have reached broad agreement with the player’s representatives over a potential transfer. However, Ernst remains undecided and has not given the final approval for the move, leaving the deal in a state of limbo.
Goalkeeper exodus prompts urgent search
The pursuit comes with current number one Kamil Grabara expected to depart Wolfsburg this summer, leaving the coaching staff in urgent need of a reliable replacement between the posts.
Ernst has emerged as the primary target to fill that vacancy. The German keeper has been on the books at Hertha BSC and represents a long-term investment for Wolfsburg as they look to stabilise their defensive ranks ahead of the new Bundesliga campaign.
Celtic and Ajax enter the race
Yet Wolfsburg face stiff competition for his signature. Alongside interest from other top-flight German clubs, Scottish champions Celtic and Dutch giants Ajax are also monitoring the situation closely, giving Ernst multiple pathways to consider for the next stage of his career.
This crowded field has complicated negotiations, forcing the club to explore contingency plans. Should Ernst opt for a different destination, Wolfsburg are considering free agent Stefan Ortega, who recently departed Nottingham Forest, and Eintracht Frankfurt back-up Michael Zetterer.
Ortega would represent a cost-effective option given his availability without a transfer fee, while Zetterer offers Bundesliga experience despite spending much of last season on the bench.
Decision time approaches
Wolfsburg must now await Ernst’s final word. With pre-season preparations approaching and Grabara’s departure imminent, the club will be eager to resolve their goalkeeping situation promptly, whether that means securing their first choice or pivoting to one of the alternatives already identified.
The coming days could prove decisive as Ernst weighs up his options between staying in the German capital or seeking a fresh challenge elsewhere.