After securing Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid is still going full throttle in the transfer market. According to MARCA and German media, their next target is Angelo Stiller, a midfielder from Stuttgart who’s already being called the “new Toni Kroos.” The club wants to finalize the squad before their preseason tour in the United States, and Stiller fits perfectly into the project led by Xabi Alonso.

A Bundesliga breakout with the Kroos connection

At just 24, Stiller has been one of the biggest surprises in the Bundesliga this season. He racked up 4 goals and 11 assists in 47 games, shining in both league play and European competitions. His performance at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League stood out — he had an 89% passing accuracy and showed great vision. Reports say the deal could go through for somewhere between $40 and $50 million.

A key factor in this potential signing is Stiller’s agency: Sports360 GmbH, the same one that managed Toni Kroos’ career — and where he’s now actively involved. That connection has helped smooth talks with Real Madrid, who see the young German as the perfect fit to fill the legendary No. 8’s shoes. German outlets even claim Kroos personally recommended the transfer.

Backed by Rüdiger and Alonso

Antonio Rüdiger, currently the only German in Madrid’s squad, also had high praise for his fellow countryman: “I’m a big fan of his. I played against him in the Champions League and was impressed by how calm he is on the ball. Nothing rattles him,” said the defender. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso knows Stiller well from the Bundesliga and believes he’s the exact profile Madrid needs — a smart, composed playmaker who builds the game from the back.

The transfer is also financially realistic. Stuttgart, known for selling top talent, already let go of stars like Guirassy and Hiroki Ito for around $70 million last summer. This year, their main sale looks set to be Stiller, who — according to German sources — has already given Madrid the green light. All that’s left is for the two clubs to finalize the details.

With Modrić stepping out of the project and Ceballos’ future still up in the air, Stiller looks like the perfect heir to Kroos — not just in style, but also in background. Both came through Bayern Munich and share that same winning mentality and laser-precise passing. If the move goes through, the young German could well become the new midfield maestro at the Bernabéu.