Manchester United transfer news: 'Initial interest' shown in Bundesliga midfielder as alternative to Carlos Baleba

Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart as an alternative to Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.

The Red Devils' opening game of the 2025-26 season ended in defeat against Arsenal, but boss Ruben Amorim will have been delighted with his side's strong display.

Attackers Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo impressed for large spells, though midfielders like Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte were inconsistent.

United have been strongly linked with Brighton's Baleba, though his price tag is thought to be prohibitively expensive, especially at this stage of the transfer window.

Sky Sports report that Stuttgart's Stiller has emerged as a more viable alternative, but no club-to-club contacts have taken place yet.

Angelo Stiller in profile: Stats, playstyle and Manchester United fit assessed

Angelo Stiller played a key role in helping Stuttgart finish second in 2023-24, as well as win the DFB-Pokal in 2024-25.

The German is at his best when he has the ball at his feet, with the midfielder attempting at least 505 more passes than any of his teammates in the league last term (2,540).

Stiller also played the most key passes (59), the most passes into the final third (271) and made the most progressive passes (289) amongst the Stuttgart squad in the Bundesliga in 2024-25.

The 24-year-old is not the most physically gifted athlete, and he has often been paired with a more mobile destroyer in the middle of the pitch to mitigate his limitations.

Does Stiller make sense as a Carlos Baleba alternative?

Manchester United struggled in 2024-25 when trying to progress the ball up the pitch, and Stiller's ability to receive under pressure would make him a strong fit when United have possession.

Amorim may encounter issues if he hopes to use the German as a destroyer when his side lose possession, especially as Casemiro and Ugarte have encountered difficulties in the Premier League when trying to prevent counter-attacks.

Baleba is not as strong a passer as Stiller, but the Brighton man is press resistant and able to cover ground at speed, something that would benefit United.

The two could feasibly play together in the middle, though it remains to be seen if the club would sanction the additions of both over the next few transfer windows.

Written by
Lewis Nolan