Bild reported that Chelsea have identified Stiller as a priority target and are considered an eligible buyer by Stuttgart, who know they need a major sale to fund their ambitions for next season. Manchester United and Liverpool are also in the race, with Real Madrid monitoring the situation too.
Stiller, 25, has contributed one goal and eight assists in the Bundesliga this season as Stuttgart sit fourth. He has been one of the most consistent deep-lying playmakers in German football since joining the club from Hoffenheim in 2023.
Stuttgart's position on the transfer is nuanced. The German club has the option to buy out Stiller's €40 million release clause by paying him €2 million directly — after which they would demand at least €50 million from any interested club. That mechanism makes any deal a negotiation between the two parties rather than a straightforward clause activation.
For Chelsea, the pull is clear. Stiller would roughly double his current salary of around €4.5 million per year by moving to the Premier League. His profile as a composed, technical midfielder who controls tempo from deep has drawn comparisons to Toni Kroos and suits multiple systems.
The uncertainty around Enzo Fernández's future at Stamford Bridge — the Argentine was recently suspended after publicly speaking about his desire to join Real Madrid — adds extra motivation for Chelsea to strengthen in the middle of the park regardless of the outcome there.
Stuttgart won the DFB-Pokal last season and are eager to remain competitive. But keeping Stiller much longer was already looking difficult, and a bid in the region of €50 million appears increasingly hard to turn down.
Whether coach Sebastian Hoeness is still in charge when the season ends adds another layer of uncertainty to an already busy summer ahead for the Bundesliga club.