Degen has struggled to make an impact during his time at Anfield and has made just 13 appearances since his 2008 move from Borussia Dortmund. He has been informed by new Reds boss Roy Hodgson that he is free to move on and is now closing on a return to the Bundesliga with Stuttgart. The club's general manager Fredi Bobic told ZDF: "Philipp Degen will arrive for his medical on Friday and, if this all works out, then he will sign his contract. "We have reached an agreement with the club and also with the player." Stuttgart are keen to follow up the Degen deal with further additions, but Bobic has expressed surprise that Andre Ayew wants to stay at Marseille. He added: "We are looking to sign two more players this month. We feel prepared. "We are surprised to learn that Andre Ayew is willing to stay on at Marseille since he told us he wouldn't, so this is a battle we have lost."
