Artem Stepanov, a 17-year-old striker from Bayer Leverkusen, has attracted interest from several clubs for a possible transfer during the winter transfer period. Among the clubs showing interest is 1. FC Kaiserslautern, who are seeking a striker for the second half of the season because of injuries and underperformance within their current squad. Stepanov, appreciated for his technical skills and speed, matches the profile that Kaiserslautern desires. He was elevated to Leverkusen's professional team due to a shortage of personnel and is under contract until 2027. His sole appearance for the team was in a Champions League match against FC Salzburg.