Real Madrid beat Liverpool to Kroos replacement: Team-mate confirms transfer

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 26 May 2025 13:49 BST
• 11 min read

News

Real Madrid have been given an indication that they are on the verge of signing their long-term replacement for Toni Kroos a year after the midfield star retired.

In what promises to be a busy summer for Los Blancos, Dean Huijsen has already hooked up with the club from Bournemouth while Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras are expected to follow from Liverpool and Benfica respectively.

The big spending is set to continue in midfield, with Xabi Alonso’s side heavily linked with Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller.

Current ETV

Angelo Stiller

DM, M (C)

VfB Stuttgart

Angelo Stiller

DM, M (C)

VfB Stuttgart

€46.7M

ETV Range

€42M - €51.3M

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His club-mate, Denis Undav, has confessed that the 24-year-old Germany international could be on his way sooner rather than later.

Speaking after claiming the DFB Pokal with a 4-2 victory over surprise finalists Arminia Bielefeld, Undav was asked about his future as well as that of Stiller and Atakan Karazor.

“Me and Karazor, we’ll stay, yes. Stiller, I don’t know. Hala Madrid!” he replied.

Stiller had been heavily linked with a potential move to Liverpool as well as Real Madrid, yet Undav’s comment suggests that it’s Los Blancos who are closer to signing him.

How good is Angelo Stiller?

Stiller is a deep-lying playmaker who was one of the leading central midfielders in the Bundesliga this season, according to SciSports’ data.

He played a total of 32 matches in Germany’s top-flight, scoring a single goal but creating an impressive six. Statistically, he fared better than average in all of the seven key categories that SciSports uses to analyse the performance of central midfielders, notably rating highly in terms of xA and build-up passes.

Stiller has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €46.7 million, but Stuttgart reportedly want €60m, suggesting that if he does leave the Bundesliga club, it will be for a significant chunk for than his worth.

Angelo Stiller vs Bundesliga central midfielders: Overall performance (2024/25)

The expert’s opinion

Bundesliga expert Ronan Murphy says: “Angelo Stiller is not known for scoring goals, particularly as his usual skills require him to break down opposition attacks rather than creating chances for his own team, but the defensive midfielder netted twice during Stuttgart's run to the German Cup. He was instrumental again in the final, providing assists for two of his team's goals in a 4-2 victory over Arminia Bielefeld.

“Stuttgart are back in Europe next season thanks to that cup win, but Stiller will likely be playing elsewhere as many of Europe's top teams covet a player with his off-the-ball ability and talent to anchor a midfield in a team very much focused on attacking.”

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