Hertha captain Reese apparently set for move to VfL Wolfsburg
Berlin, 15 June 2026
Jo Atmon/Elmar J Lordemann / Wikimedia Commons / GFDL 1.2
Summary
Hertha BSC and VfL Wolfsburg have reached a verbal agreement on a transfer of captain Fabian Reese, who is still under contract with the Berlin club until…
Berlin, 15 June 2026
Hertha BSC and VfL Wolfsburg have reached a verbal agreement on a transfer of captain Fabian Reese, who is still under contract with the Berlin club until 2030, according to consistent media reports.
What is new since 13 June 2026
Update of 15 June 2026: While the situation surrounding Fabian Reese had previously consisted mainly of speculation and initial indications, the signs of a transfer are now measurably growing stronger. The sports magazine "Kicker" reports an oral agreement between the clubs. A new interim status has thus been reached, making the personnel matter more concrete.
What is new since 13 June 2026: While the previous status had merely recorded VfL Wolfsburg's fundamental willingness to sign Reese in the event of remaining in the Bundesliga, there is now an oral agreement between the clubs according to information from "Kicker." In addition, Reese has given his personal approval according to "Bild," as the "Bild" reports, the offensive player has reached an agreement with VfL Wolfsburg on a transfer. A written agreement as well as the obligatory medical check are still pending, however, as the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement, according to "Sky."
Background: Reese's career to date
Reese himself had recently emphasized on the podcast "Spielmacher – Fußball von allen Seiten": "Ich habe einen sehr langen Vertrag und Hertha ist mein Verein". The offensive player, born in Kiel, had extended his contract with the Berliners last summer until 2030, having moved to the Spree on a free transfer from Holstein Kiel in 2023. Prior to that, the 28-year-old offensive player, who had already played 13 Bundesliga games with Schalke 04, had begun his professional career in Kiel.
The Berlin top scorer now apparently sees his future in Lower Saxony, after the 28-year-old offensive player had already reached an agreement with the Lower Saxons last week. Hertha, too, is said to be interested in a departure in view of Reese's salary and the transfer revenue needed. Reese is still tied to Hertha until 2030, but the reported monthly salary of 150,000 euros is said to be too high for the cash-strapped Berliners, which is why Reese is not considered unsellable.
There are differing accounts of the financial framework. A transfer fee of up to eight million euros has been mentioned. According to "Bild," the final sum is likely to be in the range between six million and eight million euros. Hertha-Kapitän Reese einigt sich mit VfL Wolfsburg – Ablösepoker in vollem Gange, is how "Bild" describes the negotiation situation, in which Der Abschied von Hertha-Kapitän Fabian Reese (28) Formen annimmt.
Financial key figures of the transfer
On Wolfsburg's side, the club had already received commitments from Reese and his Berlin teammate Tjark Ernst (23) weeks ago, but only in the event of staying in the Bundesliga. This condition was temporarily in doubt because VfL Wolfsburg dropped into the 2. Bundesliga as a relegated Bundesliga side. In the meantime, the club still appears to be pursuing the plan: the Wolves' goal would also be a direct return to the top flight.
Wolfsburg's starting position and conditions
Departures of other key players such as Tjark Ernst and Marton Dardai are also quite likely. Other key players such as goalkeeper Ernst or Márton Dárdai (24) are also likely to leave the Berliners in order to bring in more money for the rebuilding of the squad. The 22-year-old, meaning Ernst, played 28 matches (two goals) in the past season.
Further departures at Hertha
The sporting background at Hertha is marked by a declared promotion goal that has not been achieved so far. Asked about the big promotion goal, the professional said: "Das sagen wir jetzt seit drei Jahren. Und einfach gute Arbeit leisten und dann darüber reden, wenn es realistisch ist." Although this statement was not addressed explicitly to the fans, it illustrates the discrepancy between the ambition and the sporting reality of the capital city club.
Hertha BSC needs transfer revenue, as the reporting says, Nach Top-Talent Kennet Eichhorn (16), der für rund 9 Mio. € zu Bayer Leverkusen gewechselt ist. Following the departure of Supertalent Kennet Eichhorn (16), who moved to Bayer Leverkusen for around nine million euros, Reese would be the next painful sale. In fan forums, the departure is being received critically, with one comment reading: "Aber gut, wieder ein paar mehr Millionen die Berlin versickern werden."
From Wolfsburg's perspective, Reese would be an experienced wide player listed in the position of left winger. Verein: - Hertha BSC - Vertrag bis: - 30.06.2030 - Position: - Linksaußen - Marktwert: - 5,00 Mio. € – Wettbewerb: - Bundesliga – Tabellenstand: - 16. These market value figures come from portals that estimate player values and form a contrast to the reported transfer fee. At the Wolves, the squad size is 30, the coach is Stefan Leitl, Kadergröße: - 30 - Letzter Transfer: - Josip Brekalo - Gesamtmarktwert: - 215,10 Mio. €.
On Hertha's side, the personnel matter continues to be commented on cautiously. Sporting director Pirmin Schwegler recently spoke to "Sky" about Reese but continued to refer to him as an "interessanten Spieler". Reese himself had also hinted at private aspects, as one of the quotes from his circle goes: "Fakt ist: Ich möchte eine Familie gründen." Whether this is connected with a change of location cannot be inferred from the available reports.
Timeline of the reporting
The current state of affairs includes the fact that the medical check of the Kiel native [...] is still pending. As long as this has not been completed, the transfer remains formally incomplete. An official confirmation from the clubs is also pending. The personnel matter is therefore well advanced, but not yet concluded.
The timeline so far: Weeks ago, Wolfsburg was said to have obtained commitments from Reese and Ernst, tied to Bundesliga survival. Following the relegation, it was unclear whether the plan still stood. Sky then reported on an imminent transfer, and now "Kicker" is announcing the oral agreement between the clubs. It is thus a gradual accumulation of evidence.
In terms of content, it remains open how Hertha BSC will communicate the balancing act between sporting ambition and financial necessity. The Berliners, lying 16th in the table, are at the end of a disappointing season and must simultaneously process transfers in order to finance the squad rebuild. After Eichhorn, Reese would be the second prominent departure within a short space of time.
What is still pending
Should the transfer go through as reported, Reese would find in Wolfsburg a club that is going into the new season with the declared aim of an immediate return to the Bundesliga. From Berlin's perspective, the move would primarily be a financial building block and a bitter sporting loss.
Subjective-sounding statements such as the fan comment "Aber gut, wieder ein paar mehr Millionen die Berlin versickern werden" illustrate the mood among parts of the fan base, but are expressly not official statements. Club representatives are, as is usual during ongoing negotiations, commenting cautiously.
Ultimately: The potential transfer is reported rather than confirmed. As long as there is no official statement from the clubs and the medical check has not been completed, the move remains a likely but not yet executed step in the German transfer summer of 2026.
Questions & Answers
Who is Fabian Reese, and what role does he play at Hertha BSC?
Fabian Reese is 28 years old, was born in Kiel, and is the captain of Hertha BSC. He is the club's top scorer and moved to Berlin on a free transfer from Holstein Kiel in 2023, where he extended his contract last summer until 2030.
What are "Kicker" and "Bild" reporting on the status of the move to Wolfsburg?
According to "Kicker," Hertha BSC and VfL Wolfsburg have reached a verbal agreement, and according to "Bild," Reese has already reached a personal agreement with VfL Wolfsburg. A written agreement and the medical check are still pending, however.
What transfer fee is on the table, and why does Hertha want to let Reese go?
The reported fee is up to eight million euros, with "Bild" assuming a range between six and eight million euros. Hertha BSC is said to be interested in a departure itself in view of Reese's salary and the need for transfer revenue.
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