Report: £34m player who can 'dictate a game' is starting to shoot up Liverpool's list of midfield targets

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Almost six months after failing to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer, Liverpool are still yet to add Arne Slot’s perfect midfielder to their squad.

Slot had identified Zubimendi as the ideal fit for the Reds having decided that he needed to bolster the midfield during the off-season.

However, after the Spaniard turned down a move to Anfield at the last minute, Liverpool chose not to pursue an alternative.

With the January window now open and Zubimendi reportedly ready to leaving Real Sociedad, supporters may have expected the Reds to come back in for the 25-year-old.

But all the signs so far suggest that Liverpool will not reignite interest in Zubimendi and will instead move on to new targets.

With that in mind, fresh names are starting to emerge, and Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller is reportedly of growing interest at Anfield.

Angelo Stiller rising up Liverpool’s shortlist

Although Zubimendi may well have been the ideal player for Slot at the start of the season, Liverpool’s remit has now changed a little.

With Ryan Gravenberch performing so well, the Reds no longer need to spend £50m plus on a guaranteed starter.

Instead, they probably need someone who can come in and rotate a little with Gravenberch without any real drop in quality.

Consequently, – as Rousing The Kop have recently asserted – Stiller should be a top target for Liverpool. And according to TeamTALK, he very much is.

They claim that Reds’ scouts have been impressed after watching the 23-year-old in recent weeks and Stiller has ‘risen up their shortlist’ as a result.

READ MORE: Liverpool interest in Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez confirmed as Richard Hughes gets to work

Stuttgart are reportedly trying to sign the Germany international to a new contract – with his current deal ending in 2027 – but are also said to be listening to bids of around £34m for Stiller.

It’s claimed that ‘developments are expected’ after the close of the January window, with Liverpool continuing to monitor Stiller ahead of a possible summer swoop.

Who is Angelo Stiller?

Although here at RTK we have been sold on Stiller for a little while, some will be less familiar with the former Bayern Munich youth product.

In short, Stiller has been a key component of a Stuttgart side who have been fantastic under Sebastian Hoeness over the past year-and-a-half.

Signed late in the 2023 summer transfer window as something of a replacement for Liverpool-bound Wataru Endo, Stiller has become a key player for Hoeness.

The Stuttgart boss previously managed the midfielder at Hoffenheim, and gave a good insight into Stiller’s qualities back in 2021.

“As a central midfielder, he has incredible strategic skills,” Hoeness told Kicker. “He can read a game and is able to dictate a game from the six position.” Sounds like exactly what Liverpool need!