An indifferent year spent on loan with Blackburn Rovers only served to prove that the former Bayern Munich man was sadly a shadow of his former self, and a move to his homeland would appear a suitable end to a fine career for Babbel.
Babbel said: "I know of the interest from Stuttgart and have already briefly spoken on the phone to Matthias Sammer. But I cannot say any more at present.
"Naturally, moving to Stuttgart would be a massive thing. It's a big club with a great history and good prospects. And I could play again internationally. I have a contract (at Liverpool) until 2006, and we have also a new trainer (Rafael Benitez) with whom I have personally not yet spoken.
"I played 25 games for Blackburn last season, that was good because I saw that I can hold my own again in the Premier League."