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VfL Wolfsburg, currently sitting in 17th place in the Bundesliga and staring down relegation, is making a move for one of the second division’s most productive forwards. Fabian Reese, the 28-year-old captain of Hertha BSC, is the target, and the two sides have reportedly already agreed on personal terms.
The remaining hurdle is the transfer fee. Negotiations between the clubs are centered on a price likely falling somewhere between €8 million and €10 million, a figure that sits well above Reese’s listed Transfermarkt market value of €5 million but below the €10 to €13 million range Hertha has previously demanded for the forward.
A free transfer turned into an eight-figure asset
Reese arrived at Hertha BSC from Holstein Kiel in January 2023 on a free transfer. Three seasons later, he’s racked up 82 appearances and scored 30 goals. That’s a player acquired for nothing who now commands a potential eight-figure fee.
Reese signed a contract extension with Hertha just last year, in May 2025, tying him to the club until June 30, 2030. That deal now functions primarily as leverage for Hertha to extract a meaningful fee rather than lose their captain on the cheap.
Why Wolfsburg needs this deal
Wolfsburg’s 17th place in the Bundesliga means they are one spot from automatic relegation. Reese’s 30 goals in 82 appearances at Hertha translate to roughly a goal every 2.7 games. Those numbers were produced in the 2. Bundesliga, so there’s a legitimate question about whether they translate to top-flight football.
The fact that personal terms are already settled suggests Reese is genuinely interested in making the jump. For a player born on November 29, 1997, this might represent his best window to establish himself in Germany’s top division.
What this means for both clubs
The €8 million to €10 million range being discussed would represent a substantial return on a free transfer acquisition. Hertha’s previous asking price of €10 to €13 million set the ceiling, while Reese’s €5 million Transfermarkt valuation set the floor for what constitutes fair market value.
The negotiations that reportedly began several weeks ago appear to be entering their final phase. Wolfsburg’s position in 17th and Reese’s desire to leave both factor into the likely landing zone of €8 million to €10 million: more than fair value by market estimates, less than Hertha’s ideal number.
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