Newcastle United are reportedly on the verge of securing the services of German forward Nick Woltemade, according to manager Eddie Howe. While the Magpies are making headway in their pursuit of Woltemade, the future of star striker Alexander Isak remains uncertain, with Liverpool reportedly intensifying their interest.
Reports surfaced indicating that Newcastle have reached an agreement to sign the 23-year-old Woltemade. The transfer fee is expected to eclipse the £63 million Newcastle spent to acquire Isak in 2022, signaling a significant investment in their attacking options. This move comes after Newcastle faced setbacks in their attempts to sign Brentford's Yoane Wissa and Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen, highlighting their determination to bolster their forward line.
Isak's absence from Newcastle's first two Premier League fixtures has fueled speculation about his potential move to Liverpool. The potential arrival of Woltemade at St. James' Park has further intensified discussions about Isak's future, with some suggesting that Woltemade could be a direct replacement for the Swedish international.
Woltemade's impressive performances last season, where he scored 17 goals and provided three assists in all competitions for Stuttgart, have made him a sought-after talent. His contributions helped Stuttgart secure a ninth-place finish in the Bundesliga and clinch the DFL-Pokal, showcasing his ability to perform at a high level.
Among players born in 2002 or later across Europe's top five leagues, Woltemade was one of only 15 to record 20 goal involvements in all competitions, underscoring his potential and impact on the field. Howe acknowledged the progress in the Woltemade deal ahead of Newcastle's match against Leeds United, stating that positive signs were emerging.
"Not too much to say, but there are positive signs. I think things are moving and developing in a good way at the moment. I can't confirm anything, but fingers crossed," Howe told reporters. However, Howe suggested that Woltemade's registration might not be completed in time for him to feature in the match against Leeds United, citing various procedural reasons.
"I don't think that's possible, due to lots of reasons I don't understand. The most important thing is that we try and bring a centre-forward in, that's what we've been working towards all summer, so hopefully we're getting closer," Howe added, emphasizing the club's priority of strengthening their attacking options.
With Anthony Gordon serving a suspension, William Osula could potentially lead the line for Newcastle this weekend. Fabian Schar is set to return after recovering from a head injury, while Sandro Tonali could also feature. However, Joelinton is expected to remain sidelined until after the international break.
Addressing the potential impact of Woltemade's arrival on Isak's future, Howe remained coy, stating that he lacked clarity on the situation. "It's difficult for me to give you any sort of clarity on his future. I've said before, I don't know what the future holds in that respect, because I'm not involved with it. I've got no update and I'm just focusing on bringing players into the club," Howe explained.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot also addressed the Isak speculation, confirming that the club is actively exploring options in the transfer market. "If it's true Newcastle have signed a new number nine, that's very nice for Eddie because Anthony Gordon is suspended and Isak has not been training," Slot commented. "I said after Monday evening that I could make a substitution to impact the game and as always, we try to sign players who can help us."
Slot continued, "But there's no reason, after the first two games, to complain or think we need more. If we can strengthen the squad, we will try to do that, if it's for the right money and the right player. Let's see if we do something and if we can, what we can do." The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the futures of both Nick Woltemade and Alexander Isak, with Newcastle and Liverpool potentially set to be key players in the transfer market.
