Manchester United have decided that Angelo Stiller does not fit the bill as a direct alternative to Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba and they will only attempt to sign the Stuttgart star if Kobbie Mainoo or Bruno Fernandes head through the Old Trafford exit door, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim has already raided the Bundesliga since the summer transfer window opened for business, with striker Benjamin Sesko making a switch worth up to £73.7million from RB Leipzig, but there remains an appetite to secure additional fresh faces ahead of the September 1 deadline.
Although talks were held via intermediaries over whether it would be possible to land Baleba, Manchester United have been forced to switch their focus towards other options on the market as Premier League counterparts Brighton have made it clear that they are unwilling to sanction his departure.
Red Devils Holding Off Making Offer for Stiller
Angelo Stiller in action for Stuttgart
Manchester United are having doubts over making a late move to sign Stiller, according to GMS sources, as influential figures behind the scenes are adamant that he does not boast the same profile as Baleba even though he has been touted as an alternative recruit in the final days of the summer window.
Although the Germany international's name has been mentioned in internal discussions at Old Trafford, as they aim to recover from a season where they missed out on European qualification and silverware, the Red Devils are hesitating and have not opened formal negotiations with Stuttgart.
GMS sources have been informed that Manchester United are interested in Stiller, who enjoyed a productive 2024/25 campaign in his current surroundings, but he is being seen as a potential replacement for Mainoo or Fernandes if they are given the green light to embark on a fresh challenge at the eleventh-hour.
Angelo Stiller's statistics for Stuttgart during the 2024/25 campaign
The Red Devils are aware that they have a golden opportunity to leave Stuttgart helpless as, despite starting the Bundesliga curtain-raiser against Union Berlin last weekend, there is a release clause worth close to £32million written into the central midfielder's contract at the MHP Arena.
Manchester United have decided that they are unlikely to recruit Stiller unless there is a significant departure in the middle of the park, GMS sources have learned, while they have continued to insist they will not make a stop-gap addition to the squad when they now have a limited budget.
Stiller is Still on Amorim's Last-Gasp Shortlist
Angelo Stiller in action for Stuttgart
GMS sources have been told that Manchester United are only intending to make a U-turn on their stance if Mainoo or Fernandes have a last-gasp opportunity to leave, but Stiller has remained on Amorim's shortlist as it has been accepted that midfield is an area of concern after failing to win either of their first two encounters of the season.
The 24-year-old, who has been described as 'unbelievable', is still at the forefront of Stuttgart's plans and the Bundesliga side are determined to retain his services instead of allowing him to move onto pastures new when they would have limited time to identify an adequate replacement.
Manchester United only want to bring in fresh faces who fit into their long-term vision and would help to challenge for Champions League qualification, GMS sources understand, leading to them ruling out the possibility of making a loan signing as they do not want to panic at this stage of the transfer window.
GMS sources recently revealed that the Red Devils are eager for Tottenham Hotspur to challenge Chelsea for the acquisition of Alejandro Garnacho, which would increase their chances of securing a higher fee and allow them to go into the market for another addition with a more lucrative budget.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 25/08/2025
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