Juventus are intensifying their pursuit of Stuttgart’s German midfielder Angelo Stiller, 25, according to reports in Italy. The Serie A giants are eager to secure his services for the upcoming season, hoping to beat out a host of top European clubs for a player widely compared to Toni Kroos.
Stiller earned the ‘new Kroos’ label after the legendary midfielder himself recommended him to Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez before retiring at the end of the 2023-24 season. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and Juventus are now working to finalize a deal quickly.
Chelsea, Manchester United, and even Real Madrid—who are almost forced to strengthen their midfield this summer and showed interest last year—are among the competitors. Italian sources mention a release clause of around €36 million, and Stiller has reportedly expressed his desire for a new challenge away from the Bundesliga. While Juventus had been monitoring Atalanta’s Ederson, they have now shifted focus to Stiller. A club representative will travel to Germany this weekend to watch him in action against Bayer Leverkusen and, more importantly, to begin negotiations in an effort to get ahead of the market.
**Comparisons with Kroos and Flick’s Influence**
The comparisons with Kroos have grown over the past year, a parallel that flatters the Stuttgart midfielder but one he prefers to downplay for obvious reasons. “No one can replace Toni Kroos. For me, he is the best German player of all time. If the national coach entrusts me with his role, of course I am happy. It’s true that in terms of playing style, we are similar,” Stiller admitted.
It’s no surprise that Barcelona also wanted him. Hansi Flick gave Stiller his professional debut at Bayern Munich in both the DFB-Pokal and Champions League in 2020, when he was 19. “I am grateful to him to this day. Hansi Flick was the coach who gave me my professional debut. I was never angry with him or Bayern — that would be the wrong attitude. I like the club too much for that,” Stiller told *Bild* a year ago, reflecting on his departure from the Allianz Arena.