Real Madrid News
Report: Bundesliga star ‘will never sign’ for Real Madrid
According to an update shared by journalist Joaquin Maroto, it has come to light that Angelo Stiller is never going to sign for Real Madrid.
Despite weeks of speculation linking the 24-year-old Stuttgart midfielder with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, Maroto states definitively that the deal “will never happen.”
This is a significant twist in what initially appeared to be a promising development for Los Blancos.
With Toni Kroos retired and Luka Modric leaving, Real Madrid have been actively looking for a deep-lying midfield orchestrator, someone capable of dictating the tempo and initiating attacks from the back.
Stiller’s name repeatedly surfaced as a viable candidate to fill that role.
Earlier reports indicated that Stiller was open to the move, and his entourage viewed the prospect of playing for Real Madrid favourably. Though Madrid never submitted a formal offer, optimism existed within the player’s camp.
Contractual roadblocks
Despite mutual interest, it is said that Real Madrid faced problems due to a complex contractual situation. While Stiller does have a €36 million release clause, it only becomes active in 2026.
Until then, Stuttgart retain firm control over his future. In fact, the German club can eliminate that clause altogether by paying the player a €2 million bonus before the clause activates..
At present, Stuttgart are not interested in selling Stiller for anything less than €50 million, an amount that Real Madrid are unwilling to pay for a player they do not consider a guaranteed starter.
Given that, the club has now pulled the plug on any potential move for the German midfielder.
With the Stiller option now closed, Real Madrid are redirecting their attention toward Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
The Spanish international is a better tactical fit for Alonso’s system and is admired for his intelligence, positioning, and ability to shield the backline while distributing the ball efficiently.
However, Zubimendi’s €60 million release clause and strong interest from Arsenal complicate matters.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
