Manchester United and Chelsea are competing to sign VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller in the 2026 summer window, with the German club moving to scrap a release clause previously set at €40m. According to Football Transfers and CaughtOffside, Stuttgart have reportedly triggered a unique €2m buyout to reclaim negotiating power, allowing them to demand a fee in the region of €50m to €65m for the 25-year-old. While Chelsea are reportedly prepared to offer Stiller a salary of €9m per year—effectively doubling his current earnings—Manchester United remain in the race as they seek a long-term successor for the veteran Casemiro.
Stuttgart's strategic maneuvering through contract clauses
To maximise market value ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Stuttgart have utilised a rare contractual mechanism to overwrite Stiller’s previous exit terms. Speaking to Football Insider, Pete O'Rourke noted that the removal of the €40m clause ensures the Bundesliga side can demand a premium if the midfielder performs well for Germany on the international stage. Stiller, who is under contract until June 2028, has seen his valuation skyrocket since joining from Hoffenheim for approximately £5.6m in 2023. This financial pivot reflects Stuttgart's necessity to protect their assets; the club previously lost key personnel like Serhou Guirassy to relatively low release clauses and is determined to avoid a repeat with their primary playmaker.
Tactical fit and squad necessity at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge
Stiller has earned Comparisons to Toni Kroos due to his elite ball progression, currently ranking in the 97th percentile for accurate long balls in the Bundesliga. For Manchester United, the pursuit is driven by a clear vacancy in the deep-lying role. With Casemiro now 33 and entering the final stages of his career, Stiller offers the technical profile required to dictate play from the 6 position. Chelsea’s interest, meanwhile, aligns with Liam Rosenior’s desire to further refine a midfield that has seen significant investment but lacks a consistent metronome. While Stiller told Transfermarkt that "nobody can replace Toni Kroos," his statistical output suggests he is the closest viable stylistic heir in the current market, making him a priority target for Premier League clubs looking to control tempo in high-transition matches.
With Juventus also reportedly meeting with the player's representatives in April, a multi-club bidding war appears likely to commence before the World Cup begins.