Why Badredine Bouanani was left out of Stuttgart’s Champions League squad

Badredine Bouanani is set to leave VfB Stuttgart on loan for Rangers after being left out of the German club’s Champions League squad, with the move offering the Algerian winger an opportunity to regain regular playing time.

The 21-year-old was not included in Stuttgart’s 24-man A list submitted to UEFA, a decision that initially appeared surprising because the club was permitted to register one more player.

However, the omission is now understood to be linked to Bouanani’s expected departure from Stuttgart. According to L’Équipe, the former Nice player is close to joining Glasgow Rangers on a season-long loan, with the agreement including an €18 million option to buy.

Bouanani is already in Scotland and is due to undergo his medical examination this Thursday before the move can be completed.

The timing of the proposed transfer has allowed the deal to progress despite the closure of the transfer window in Germany and several other major European leagues. Scotland’s transfer window remains open, meaning Stuttgart can still send a player to a Scottish club.

The move would bring an end, at least temporarily, to Bouanani’s time in Germany and give the young winger a chance to rebuild his momentum following an inconsistent first campaign with Stuttgart.

Bouanani joined the German club from Nice in the summer of 2025. During his first season, he made 28 appearances, scoring twice and registering two assists.

Despite those appearances, he was unable to establish himself as a regular member of Stuttgart’s starting line-up. His campaign did finish on a more positive note, but his limited role contributed to uncertainty over his future during the summer.

Several clubs were linked with Bouanani during the transfer window, including Strasbourg, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04. The move to Rangers would now give him the opportunity to take on greater responsibility.

In Glasgow, Bouanani would join Mauritanian player Djeidi Gassama and South African Olwethu Makhanya.

There is, however, a significant drawback to the move. Bouanani will not play European football this season because Rangers were eliminated in the Conference League play-offs.

Rangers have also made an uneven start to their league campaign, recording two wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening four matches.

For Bouanani, though, European football is likely to be less important than the chance to play regularly. At 21, the move to Scotland represents an opportunity to rebuild his confidence, increase his playing time and take on a more prominent role.

Missing out on Champions League football with Stuttgart may therefore prove less damaging than remaining on the bench.

The proposed Rangers loan gives Bouanani a fresh setting in which to continue his development and attempt to revive his career.