Liverpool Face Major Transfer Blow as Angelo Stiller Eyes Real Madrid Move
Liverpool’s hopes of adding midfield steel to their title-winning squad have taken a significant hit, with Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller reportedly preferring a move to Real Madrid. According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, the 24-year-old has made his intentions clear, stating: “I’m going to Madrid. If they want me, I’m going.”
This admission comes as a heavy blow to Liverpool and Arne Slot, who had identified Stiller as a key target to fill the defensive midfield void left after the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of Martin Zubimendi last summer.
Stiller’s ambition to become the “new Toni Kroos” and work under incoming Madrid manager Xabi Alonso appears to have swung the pendulum in the Spanish giants’ favour. Given Alonso’s previous role as Bayer Leverkusen head coach, his familiarity with Stiller adds weight to Madrid’s interest.
Slot’s Midfield Reinforcements Hit Early Roadblock
Arne Slot, fresh off a historic Premier League title in his debut season at Anfield, has already begun shaping his squad for a demanding second campaign. One area he’s keen to reinforce is the holding midfield position.
As reported by Defensa Central, Slot “expressed to the board his enthusiasm about the possibility of having Stiller in the project he will lead from the next season.” Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), were reportedly preparing a formal bid, with Stuttgart valuing Stiller at €40 million (£33.6m).
This latest development throws a wrench into those plans. Slot, who is close to sealing the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, now faces the possibility of missing out on a second Bundesliga standout to a direct European rival.
Madrid’s Advantage: Legacy and Leadership
For Stiller, the allure of Real Madrid may prove irresistible. The club is in the midst of a transitional phase, with Toni Kroos set to depart and Xabi Alonso poised to lead the next era. Stiller appears to see himself at the heart of that renewal, both stylistically and symbolically.
Madrid’s track record in transforming talented midfielders into global icons, combined with Alonso’s rising managerial pedigree, puts them in a position of power. Liverpool, despite their own resurgence under Slot, may find it difficult to compete with that level of historical gravity and continental prestige.
Statistical Snapshot: Stiller’s Stellar Season
Angelo Stiller has had an impressive campaign in the Bundesliga, with four goals and nine assists in 46 appearances for Stuttgart. His ability to dictate tempo, shield the back line, and contribute in the final third makes him an appealing option for clubs seeking a modern defensive midfielder.
Stuttgart’s ninth-place finish and upcoming DFB-Pokal final have placed him on a broader stage. Yet, his desire to step up and compete for league titles and Champions League trophies seems to have tipped the scales in Madrid’s favour.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool perspective, this is incredibly frustrating. Just as the club reclaims domestic glory, we’re being reminded that our transfer clout still has limits. Stiller fits exactly the profile we need: young, technically sharp, defensively disciplined, and hungry. If he truly said, “I’m going to Madrid. If they want me, I’m going,” then there’s not much more we could do.
But still, it’s hard not to feel disappointed. Real Madrid continue to cherry-pick top talent, often with little resistance, while we watch targets slip through our fingers. Losing out on Dean Huijsen and potentially Trent Alexander-Arnold to them in the same window, followed by Stiller, could sting for seasons to come.
Slot has shown his quality, winning the league in his first season, but the club must back him better in the market. Frimpong is a good start, but we need more if we’re to dominate both domestically and in Europe. If Madrid keep swooping in, we risk becoming the nearly-men of the transfer window, yet again.
One can only hope that FSG have a Plan B in place – or, ideally, a Plan A with a bigger pull than just “interest.” Because right now, we’ve got a project and trophies, but not the final say.
