Newcastle United Nears Signing of Stuttgart Striker Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United is on the verge of signing Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, a move that could significantly influence Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak.
The 23-year-old Germany international is reportedly heading to Tyneside after Newcastle reached an agreement with the Bundesliga club.
Woltemade, who has also drawn interest from Bayern Munich this summer, is set to undergo a medical examination before finalizing his transfer to St James' Park.
While the transfer fee has not been officially disclosed, sources suggest it could be a club record, surpassing the £63 million Newcastle paid for Isak three years ago when he joined from Real Sociedad.
Isak remains eager to join Liverpool, and Woltemade's transfer may encourage the reigning champions to revisit their interest in the player during the closing days of the transfer window, particularly after their £110 million bid was rejected last month.
Last week, Newcastle stated that they did not anticipate the conditions for Isak's sale being met, specifically the need to secure two quality strikers and receive a compelling offer from Liverpool.
However, the Magpies have since finalized a deal for Woltemade, who is expected to be a central forward capable of leading the attack immediately, while also possessing substantial potential for further development.
This transfer caps an impressive year for the Bremen-born forward, who has earned two caps for his national team.
Initially, Woltemade was not a regular starter for Stuttgart after joining on a free transfer from Werder Bremen last summer. Nevertheless, he went on to score 17 goals in 33 appearances, including the opening goal in the German Cup final, marking the first major trophy of his career.
He also shone at the Under-21 Euros last month, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with six goals as Germany reached the final, where they were narrowly defeated 3-2 by England.
Woltemade's skills have drawn comparisons to Jamal Musiala and Lionel Messi. Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor described him as a "two-meter Messi-Musiala," highlighting his ability to control the ball and dribble with the finesse of a much shorter player.
Newcastle had faced challenges in their attempts to secure a striker this summer, as their pursuits of Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, and Joao Pedro ended in disappointment.
These setbacks underscored the difficulty Newcastle faces in competing for top targets against clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, which boast greater revenues, wage budgets, and historical legacies.
Newcastle also had bids turned down for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who were considered potential replacements for Callum Wilson after his departure on a free transfer.
Despite these challenges, the club's staff have worked diligently behind the scenes to secure a breakthrough.
In contrast to previous pursuits, the effort to sign Woltemade was kept confidential by all parties until the deal was finalized.
This signing is a significant boost for head coach Eddie Howe, who has had to field winger Anthony Gordon as a makeshift striker in Isak's absence, as the Swede continues to train separately from the team.
Additionally, a red card received during their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in midweek will rule Gordon out for three matches, starting with the upcoming trip to Leeds United on Saturday.