Manchester United are keeping close tabs on the situation surrounding a top talent in the Bundesliga after being given more clarity about the price.
It is no secret that Manchester United have been in the hunt for another star midfielder to add more quality in the centre of the park. With Casemiro’s contract set to expire in the summer, Rúben Amorim will need more reinforcements to strengthen an already weak area for his side.
Despite the overall optimism around the club following wins against Sunderland and, most recently, Liverpool, there were still phases throughout the games where the opposition could still cut through the midfield.
Throughout last summer, the club pushed hard to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton, but were ultimately priced out of a move.
While United are continuing to push for Baleba, even as soon as the January transfer window opens, it has not dissuaded the club from exploring other alternatives or even bringing them in alongside the Brighton midfielder.
Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton have also been mentioned as potential options, but another Premier League signing could prove too expensive for United after spending over £200 million in the summer transfer window.
United closely “monitoring” Stiller
Angelo Stiller has continued to build on his impressive performances for VFB Stuttgart that cemented him as a German star last season. The midfielder has continued to play a pivotal role for Stuttgart as their primary deep-lying playmaker with his technical prowess.
Stiller has a £34 million release clause in his contract, but Stuttgart have the option to buy it out and place their own price tag on their most prized asset.
Florian Plettenberg stated that Stuttgart intend to have an asking price of more than £43 million, with the player still open to a move away. He added that United are closely monitoring the player’s situation, who they briefly considered as an option in the summer.
There will no doubt be a lot of competition from around Europe for his signature, as the player has been heavily linked to Real Madrid in the past. However, following the success of this summer and with Stuttgart willing to sell to whoever pays the right price, United still have a chance of winning the race for him.
Is Stiller the right profile for United?
The talent of Stiller cannot be ignored. He would instantly come into the side and raise the technical ceiling of the midfield. Other than Kobbie Mainoo, United lack the type of player who can take the ball from the back line and progress the ball.
However, with Bruno Fernandes almost guaranteed a spot in the starting XI as one of the two midfielders in Amorim’s system, it can be argued that having a more defensively minded midfielder might be more beneficial, hence the links to Baleba.
Read more: Manchester United eyeing £75m move for Carlos Baleba alternative after “immense” Brighton update
Playing both Fernandes and Stiller could potentially leave more gaps for other teams to exploit, which Amorim really doesn’t need if he wants to continue with his back-three formation.
Despite the potential risks, Stiller would add that extra level of control on the ball, which Amorim’s side has sorely lacked since he took over, allows them to impose themselves more on teams in possession.
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