Former Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has publicly intervened in the Red Devils' transfer plans, stating he hopes their £44 million midfield target, Angelo Stiller, chooses to join Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich instead.
The Midfield Transfer Battle Heats Up
Manchester United are actively seeking to strengthen their central midfield in the upcoming January transfer window, with Stuttgart's German international Angelo Stiller emerging as a key target. The 24-year-old, who is under contract until June 2028, is valued at approximately £44 million by his club according to Sky Deutschland.
However, United face significant competition. Stiller is also drawing interest from European giants Real Madrid, and now a club legend has added his voice to the mix. Schweinsteiger, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, expressed his strong desire to see Stiller return to Bayern Munich, where the player began his career.
"Angelo is a very interesting player," Schweinsteiger remarked during an event with the Kings League. "I would very much like to see him back at Bayern Munich."
Stiller's Form and Future Ambitions
Stiller's performances for Stuttgart this season have rightly put him in the shop window. In 19 appearances, he has contributed one goal and six assists, showcasing his creative influence from the middle of the park. This form has even put him in contention for a spot in the German national team for future major tournaments.
The player himself has acknowledged the allure of a move abroad in the future. In an interview with Bild, Stiller revealed, "I’m definitely drawn to playing abroad at some point. I thought Florian Wirtz’s decision to go to Liverpool was cool." He also outlined a long-term plan to end his career in Major League Soccer in the United States.
Stuttgart's Stance on a January Move
Despite the growing speculation, Stuttgart's sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, has attempted to calm talks of an imminent departure. He emphasised that Stiller has a contract and it is "far too early to speculate" about a transfer.
"Of course, one or two clubs will have had their eye on him. He's having an outstanding season," Wohlgemuth admitted. "We're happy he's with us... there's nothing concrete. He can concentrate fully on VfB Stuttgart."
Should a club meet Stuttgart's £44 million valuation, it would make Stiller the club's second-most expensive sale ever, following Nick Woltemade's move to Newcastle. For Manchester United, Stiller is one of several options, with the club also reportedly monitoring Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Joao Gomes as they look to bolster new manager Ruben Amorim's squad.
