Real Madrid transfers: If Rodrygo stays, Angelo Stiller deal to be sacrificed to sign Manchester City's Rodri next summer?

Real Madrid's interest in Manchester City's Ballon d'Or winner Rodri is no secret. The Spanish CDM, who defeated Real's Vinicius Jr. last year to win the coveted prize, will turn 29 next summer and could be seen as a black sheep among the younger set of players that the La Liga giants are assembling in an effort to rejuvenate their "Galacticos" project. However, he remains a priority for Florentino Pérez and company, according to Spanish media reports.

 

Meanwhile, multiple sources have also confirmed that Real are finally convinced Angelo Stiller of VfB Stuttgart could be their replacement for Toni Kroos in midfield. The 24-year-old Stiller, who has been consistent in the Bundesliga, is effective as a deep-lying playmaker. A clinical passer like Kroos, he averaged 1.97 key passes and 9.12 passes into the final third per game last season.

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A Bayern Munich academy product, Stiller joined VfB Stuttgart from Hoffenheim in 2023 for a reported transfer fee of €5.5 million. Xabi Alonso knows how good the German international is thanks to his time with Bayer Leverkusen and is convinced that he would be a great addition to his Madrid project.

Angelo Stiller transfer news

In January 2025, Stiller extended his contract by one year, ensuring that he will stay with the Bundesliga club until June 2028. As things stand, Stuttgart will not sell him for less than €50 million, AS claimed, while adding that Xabi is confident he is worth every penny.

 

The amount could be raised if winger Rodrygo leaves the Bernabeu this summer. However, if the Brazilian decides to stay and fight for his place in the squad, the scenario could become tricky for Stiller. 

 

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When will Real Madrid sign Manchester City's Rodri?

 

Rodri’s current contract with Manchester City runs until 2027, and Real are planning to make a move for him in the summer of 2026, when his market value is expected to be at its lowest. City may be convinced to sell their CDM for a reasonable price at that point, Real Madrid believe. So unless the Rodrygo deal happens, it is not certain that Los Blancos will shell out big money on a holding midfielder this summer.

 

But if the board is convinced that the team needs a midfielder before Rodri’s potential arrival, there is a fair chance that Stiller will get to wear the white shirt next season, AS reported.

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Rodri's contract with Manchester City runs until 2027, and the summer of 2026 is seen as the ideal time to lure him out of Manchester at a reasonable price, especially considering he is now a Ballon d'Or winner. To wait for that deal, there are two options: not signing anyone in this transfer window or hiring a temporary solution who could also serve as a foundation for the future. Even in that role, Stiller fits the bill.

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