Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller is reportedly prepared to wait for a move to Real Madrid despite being linked with Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Reds may have won the Premier League title, but they are already making an effort to improve their squad ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
They are on the verge of signing Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will leave upon the expiry of his contract ahead of a move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool are also close to bolstering the left side of their defence, with the recruitment team working to finalise a deal to sign Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez.
Away from their backline, the Reds are believed to be keen to recruit a new defensive midfielder after failing to land Martin Zubimendi last summer.
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Liverpool suffer Stiller setback
Earlier this month, it was reported that Liverpool were considering a move to sign Stiller from Bundesliga side Stuttgart.
However, their hopes of securing the German's signature have seemingly been dealt a blow by the player's own preference.
According to Defensa Central, Stiller has informed Stuttgart of his desire to join Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer.
The report claims that Stiller is willing to wait for the move over other potential options as he dreams of becoming the next Toni Kroos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Real Madrid still searching for Kroos replacement
Los Blancos are still searching for someone to fill the void created by Kroos' decision to hang up his boots last summer.
Real Madrid ultimately failed to sign a replacement last summer, but they could look to rectify that problem in the upcoming transfer window.
Stiller has the passing range to be a potential Kroos successor, demonstrated by the fact that he ended the Bundesliga with the third-most passes into the final third, while he was also in the top ten for key passes and passes into the penalty area, as per FBref.
The 24-year-old has established himself as a key part of the Stuttgart side since he joined the club in the summer of 2023, having made 80 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with five goals and 15 assists.
However, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid would be willing to pursue a move for the Germany international, especially as they appear to have a number of midfielders on their radar.
Los Blancos, who are expected to appoint Xabi Alonso as their next manager, are understood to be considering Bayer Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios, Como's Nico Paz and Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha as potential targets.
