Real Madrid, Liverpool in race to sign Toni Kroos-like German midfielder and it's not Florian Wirtz: Report
VfB Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller has impressed Toni Kroos | X
Reports had earlier suggested that Xabi Alonso is likely to bring Florian Wirtz with him to Real Madrid from Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the ongoing season. Some even suggested that Wirtz could be the long-awaited replacement for Toni Kroos at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the 22-year-old follows a different path from his senior national teammate in terms of playing style.
While the attacking midfielder's future remains a mystery, fresh reports have emerged that another German has emerged as a candidate to become a fresh addition to the Real Madrid midfield. Toni Kroos himself is so impressed by Angelo Stiller that he has asked Xabi Alonso to take a closer look at the VfB Stuttgart star.
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According to reports, Xabi Alonso believes Leverkusen midfielder Exequiel Palacios could be of great use to him when his new chapter begins in the Spanish capital. However, it doesn't mean he is not going to consider 24-year-old Stiller, who has been consistent in the Bundesliga. Nobody needs to tell Alonso how good a player Stiller is and there is no reason for him to block a move to acquire him.
Angelo Stiller can effectively operate as a deep-lying playmaker. A clinical passer like Toni Kroos, averaging 1.97 key passes and 9.12 passes into the final third per game. The Bayern Munich academy product is available for around €40 million this summer, reports said.
But what makes things complicated is the fact that Liverpool is already after the talented German who was famously referred to as "The Diamond of the Bundesliga". His asking price is no problem for Arne Slot's team who is also on the lookout for reinforcements in the midfield. Having lost the Martin Zubimendi race to Arsenal, the Reds think Stiller is the next best option available before them, TeamTalk said in a report.
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Liverpool's long-serving right-back Trent Alexander Arnold left as a free agent and is strongly linked to Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States.
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