Nick Woltemade has signed for Newcastle, choosing an immediate move rather than waiting for Bayern Munich. The move echoes Florian Wirtz's recent choice to join Liverpool over Bayern. The Germany No 9 shirt is a possible target ahead of next summer's World Cup, and Woltemade appears ready to seize the opportunity. Newcastle had envisaged Alexander Isak leading a Champions League return, but the club now welcomes a different profile: a 6ft 6in striker with unusual grace, close control and dribbling ability. Newcastle completed the transfer quietly amid past gazumping concerns. Woltemade scored 17 goals last season and helped Stuttgart win the DfB Pokal.
Now Nick Woltemade is heading to Tyneside, we can read out the summer final scores. Premier League 2 Bayern Munich 0, after Florian Wirtz recently described his decision to choose Liverpool ahead of Bayern which profoundly shocked many in Germany, not least the perennial champions themselves as taking the more difficult option in order to best develop his talents. Woltemade, rather than waiting for a move to Munich next summer, has followed his international colleague in taking the plunge.
Eddie Howe is receiving a rapidly developing talent, a unicorn, a 6ft 6in striker with an uncommonly graceful flow who is difficult to compare to any player out there in his position. Woltemade gets a crack at English football and at the Champions League knowing that he has a chance to really thrive in both should he continue his current rate of progression.
Replacing Isak directly is clearly impossible, but there is much in Woltemade's game to make him a logical substitute. Despite his size he is at ease with the ball at his feet, a prolific dribbler with the deft touch to bring others into play. His 17 goals last season, helping Stuttgart to DfB Pokal victory (a first major trophy in 18 years), look even better when one considers his
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