Bayern Munich are ready to make a formal offer to sign VfB Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade in the next few days.
The 23-year-old has been one of the stars of the U21 Euros, and he harbours the desire to play for Bayern.
Chelsea and Napoli have been linked with a move for Woltemade, but he has rejected the chance to join them.
Bayern Munich could make a formal bid for Woltemade
Nick Woltemade reacts during Germany U21 game
(Photo by Christian Hofer/Getty Images)
Chelsea appear to have defeated Bayern Munich in the race to sign Jamie Gittens.
Bayern registered an interest in the exciting 20-year-old winger, but they were not ready to meet Borussia Dortmund’s €65m [£55.3m] asking price.
While Bayern may have suffered a setback in securing Gittens, the German champions are likely to win the race for Woltemade.
Max Eberl confirmed after Bayern’s 4-2 win against Flamengo that they are interested in signing Woltemade, but not at the price quoted. The German champions are ready to pay around £42m for the striker.
Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg claimed that VfB Stuttgart are expecting the first written offer from FC Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen for Woltemade within the next 24 hours.
Stuttgart value the player at around £60m, which they feel is a realistic figure.
Bayern could include a player as part of the deal, but it has not been decided yet.
Plettenberg wrote on X: “VfB Stuttgart are expecting the first written offer from FC Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen for Nick Woltemade within the next 24 hours.
“As reported and confirmed again,#VfB are not demanding €100 million or even €80 million.
“Stuttgart currently see a fee in the €60–70 million range as a realistic price. Including a player in the deal is a possibility, but this is not yet decided.”
How Bayern will use Nick Woltemade?
Bayern have made it clear that they need to sign a left-winger, and it has come as a big surprise to many that they intend to sign Woltemade.
The Bavarian club needed to sign a backup striker for Harry Kane. Woltemade, who scored 12 goals in 28 German top-flight games, could be a good option.
He can also play behind the striker, and Vincent Kompany can use him in the number ten role.
The German champions could shift Jamal Musiala out wide, but whether that would be a useful strategy remains to be seen.
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