Manchester United have less than 24 hours to trigger the release clause of Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller, a player Michael Carrick’s side have maintained a long-standing interest in. The £31m clause expires on Wednesday evening, according to reports from BILD.
Stiller, 25, featured in more games than any other player for Stuttgart last season, helping the club secure Champions League qualification for only the seventh time in their history. His performances also earned him a place in Julian Nagelsmann’s World Cup squad, where he made his tournament debut against Ecuador in the group stage.
United's midfield already strengthened
Manchester United have already signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa this summer. After missing out on their top midfield target, Mateus Fernandes, United moved quickly to secure both Santos and Tielemans, ensuring they would have Premier League experience at Old Trafford next season.
Following Casemiro’s departure earlier this summer, Carrick appears ready to turn to players who have already demonstrated they can handle the intensity of England’s top flight. Both Santos and Tielemans offer that experience, something Stiller cannot provide.
No formal negotiations opened
Despite long-standing interest, Manchester United have never opened formal negotiations for Stiller. BILD claims that a club delegation attended several of Stuttgart’s home games last season to monitor the 25-year-old, but there has been no indication from Carrick’s side that they will trigger the release clause before the deadline.
A £31m deal for Stiller would certainly strengthen United’s midfield depth without breaking the bank and could prove a savvy signing. However, with the clock ticking, Stiller’s chance of moving to Old Trafford this summer appears to be slipping away.
