Albion’s Deniz Undav says he wants to stay in Germany after a goal-filled season for the striker.

Undav’s loan spell at Stuttgart has proved productive, netting 19 goals and 10 assists across 33 appearances and earning himself a place in Germany’s Euro 2024 squad.

But now the striker has publicly said he wants to stay in his home country at the end of the season.

When asked whether he would stay at Stuttgart, he told media: “I hope so.

“The discussions are ongoing, we have to see what happens.

“My desire is clear, I want to stay at Stuttgart and have a strong season with Stuttgart next season.”

Asked by German outlet Sport Bild about his decision to speak out, he said: “I learned how people can be behind the scenes.

“So, I express my opinion openly. It’s better to say it and you’ll have a problem with it, but at least I gave you my opinion and don’t say it behind your back.”

Stuttgart’s deal with Albion for Undav, who is valued at £25 million, includes an option to buy. The striker is under contract at Brighton until 2026.

The 27-year-old was named Bundesliga player of the month for November 2023 and January 2024.

His contribution helped Stuttgart to second in the Bundesliga, above Bayern Munich. Their best league performance since 2007 meant they secured Champions League football for the first time since the 2009/10 season.

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness previously heaped praise on Undav, adding: “Deniz is an absolute top player who is having a great season.

”I have a good relationship with him, he's an intelligent player who scores and sets up goals.”

Prior to departing as head coach Roberto De Zerbi said he would like to keep Undav and that he had a role to play in the first team in the upcoming season.

He said: "I would like him to stay with us and I think next season he can play in the first XI a lot of times.

“He is improving. He is a different player to what I found when I came to Brighton.”

“I am very happy for him because he is scoring, he is playing very well in the Bundesliga at Stuttgart.

“We didn’t want to keep Deniz [this season] because we didn’t know the space for him."

Undav saw much of his use by De Zerbi off the bench in 2022/23, scoring eight times across all competitions but starting just nine games of 30 appearances.

He signed from Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium in the January 2022 window but was immediately sent back out on loan for the remainder of the season.

The striker has been included in Germany’s Euro 2024 squad for the tournament which will be held in his home country. He made his international debut in March as an 80th minute substitute against France.

Undav is joined in the Germany squad by Albion team-mate Pascal Gross.

The Euros kick off on June 14, where Germany will open the competition against Scotland.