Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s new signing would cost €60 million with deal running until 2030 – report
Real Madrid are working hard behind the scenes to secure the signing of German midfielder Angelo Stiller from Stuttgart.
In fact, according to Real Madrid Confidencial, the Spanish giants already have a personal agreement in place with the 24-year-old, and now the focus has shifted to finalising terms with his club.
The fee is expected to be around €60 million, with negotiations now in their final stages.
Stiller is seen as a key piece in Real Madrid’s plans for next season, especially by new manager Xabi Alonso. The former midfielder has made it clear that rebuilding the heart of Madrid’s midfield is a top priority.
With veterans like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric departing, the club sees Stiller as a long-term replacement who can bring balance, calm, and structure to the team.
Xabi Alonso makes Stiller his midfield priority
Alonso has played a major role in convincing both the club and the player. Stiller’s playing style fits exactly what Alonso is looking for, someone who can control the tempo, manage possession, and dictate the rhythm of the game.
The deal also includes a long-term contract that would keep Stiller at Real Madrid until 2030, showing the club’s faith in his potential.
The Madrid coaching staff is eager to wrap up the deal quickly so Stiller can join the squad in time for the FIFA Club World Cup. This is seen as crucial for integrating him into Alonso’s system from day one.
With other arrivals like Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold already confirmed, and Alvaro Carreras also on the radar, Stiller is expected to be the cornerstone of a new-look midfield.
If everything goes to plan, Stiller could be unveiled as a Real Madrid player in the coming days, marking a major step in the club’s midfield rebuild under Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid relationship with Ballon d’Or organisers improving after major fallout – report
Real Madrid’s relationship with the Ballon d’Or suffered a spectacular fallout a couple of seasons ago during the saga involving Vinicius Junior.
However, according to MARCA (h/t Madrid Zone), relations between Madrid and the Ballon d’Or organisers are slowly improving and veering towards normality again.
Madrid and Ballon d’Or rebuilding relationship
The dispute erupted around the 2024 ceremony after Madrid learned that Vinicius Junior would not win the Ballon d’Or, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri ultimately receiving the award.
Madrid reacted strongly, deciding not to send their delegation to the ceremony in Paris despite several representatives being expected to attend.
The decision turned what should have been a celebration of Madrid’s successful season into a major controversy.
The club’s absence also made clear that the disagreement extended beyond disappointment over one individual award.
Relations subsequently became extremely strained. Now, however, the situation appears to be changing.
A significant change after 2024
For Madrid, rebuilding the relationship does not mean forgetting what happened.
The club felt strongly about the treatment surrounding the 2024 ceremony, particularly after Vinicius had been widely viewed inside Madrid as deserving of the prize.
However, remaining in a permanent dispute with one of football’s most prestigious institutions offers limited benefit.
Madrid routinely have players competing for the biggest individual honours in the sport.
Maintaining a functional relationship with the Ballon d’Or organisers is therefore the more practical position.
It is a work in progress to return the relationship to where it was before the 2024 controversy, but a first step is always good news.
A player like Kylian Mbappe is in the running to win the Ballon d’Or this year, and it would be important to mend fences ahead of a potential accolade.
Tensions beginning to ease
The important development is simply that the relationship is moving in a more positive direction.
It is significant considering how publicly and dramatically Madrid distanced themselves from the ceremony two years ago.
Ultimately, the understanding that the Ballon d’Or is an award decided by voting would help resolve a lot of this controversy.
There is absolutely no doubt that Vinicius Junior deserved to win the award in 2024 for the season he had, but that is in the past.
Madrid do not need to forget, but it is important that they mend fences with the organisers ahead of potential accolades for their superstars in the coming years.
