It has now been reported that Newcastle United are interested in signing Angelo Stiller.
The midfielder having now left the World Cup tournament after Germany were knocked out by Paraguay.
Angelo Stiller was expected to have a major impact this summer but just like his former Stuttgart teammate Nick Woltemade (and Mailck Thiaw) he was given next to no chance by Julian Nagelsmann. The midfielder only allowed 45 minutes in the group match against Ecuador.
Angelo Stiller played in every single Bundesliga match last seasons as Stuttgart finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League, the midfielder starting 30 league games and came off the bench in the other four. He scored two goals and got five assists in this last league season.
The Stuttgart star has been linked with a lot of clubs and Kicker report that Manchester United saw a late approach for the German midfielder rebuffed late last summer.
That was of course when Stuttgart sold Nick Woltemade to Newcastle United for £65m plus a possible further £4.3m in future add-ons. That sale of Big Nick meaning no need for Stuttgart to trade another star player in that window, as they brought in new signings of their own to strengthen the squad after winning the German Cup.
Angelo Stiller only has two years left on his contract so the Bundesliga club may well be looking to sell if they can’t get this key asset to extend his contract.
Kicker state that their information is that Angelo Stiller has a €36.5m (approx £31m) release clause: ‘However, Stuttgart can neutralise this clause by playing the player €2m (approx £1.7m), which would enable the Bundesliga club to negotiate a higher transfer fee.’
Summing up the situation regarding Angelo Stiller, Kicker report: ‘Stuttgart aren’t planning to let go of the German international…but there’s sometimes a huge gap of euros between what’s expected and reality, especially when English clubs enter the picture. Like last summer, when Newcastle unexpectedly jumped out of the woodwork and shelled out €75 million for Nick Woltemade just before the transfer window closed. Stuttgart had to face the reality that they had no other option but to let the striker go.’
It remains to be seen whether Angelo Stiller will be the subject of a bid from Newcastle United but a few factors in play suggest it is possible. Quite clearly United are actively looking at the German market having brought in Big Nick and Malick Thiaw last summer, then Bazoumana Toure expected to be announced very soon as a new signing, whilst talks are ongoing to try and sign Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi. Plus of course having done that Woltemade deal last summer, Newcastle United will have contacts at Stuttgart.
One to watch.