Newcastle United new signing Nick Woltemade pictured in training with the German national teamplaceholder image
Newcastle United new signing Nick Woltemade pictured in training with the German national team | Getty Images
Newcastle United beat Bayern Munich to the signing of Nick Woltemade.
Woltemade was expected to join the Bundesliga giants this summer, but their failure to agree a fee with Stuttgart allowed Newcastle to hijack the move.
The 23-year-old joined the Magpies for a club-record £69million, surpassing the £63m fee paid for Alexander Isak, the man he was ultimately brought in to replace.
Woltemade only joined Stuttgart on a free transfer last summer but quickly established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting strikers after scoring 18 goals in 36 appearances, as well as being top goalscorer at this summer’s under-21s European Championship.
Nick Woltemade on why he joined Newcastle United
Commenting on his move to St James’ Park, Woltemade said: "I'm really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.
"It's a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.
"I know the stadium from watching games on television - it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I'm really excited to play and start scoring goals here."
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Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: "We're delighted to get Nick's signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options.
"He's strong in a lot of areas - he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe's top leagues - but he's also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here. Nick is a great character too and we're really pleased to welcome him to the group."
Bayern Munich honorary president takes aim at Newcastle United & PIF
Woltemade is currently on international duty with Germany before linking up with new Newcastle teammates next week ahead of making his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
And ahead of his beginning his Tyneside journey, long-serving Bayern chief Hoeneß aimed a bitter dig at Newcastle and their PIF owners, as relayed by Fabrizio Romano.
Romano posted on X: “Bayern’s Uli Hoeneß on Woltemade joining Newcastle: ‘Woltemade isn't worth the €90m fee.’ ‘That only happened because of the money flowing from Saudi Arabia’, told Sport1 Dopa.”
Bayern Munich boss has already used Newcastle United “money” dig
Bayern also missed out on Florian Wirtz earlier this summer after he joined Liverpool for a British record £116m, while other Bundesliga players such as Jeremie Frimpong and Benjamin Sesko have joined Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively.
When asked what has triggered the flurry of departures from Germany’s top-flight, manager Vincent Kompany, without hesitation, answered: “Money?”
He continued: "The truth is, I remember going with Burnley to the Premier League. All of a sudden you have TV money coming in and it's £100m for promoted teams. So you go from a budget of £20-25m to £120m or £130m which in the Bundesliga you would compete with the top six, top eight.
"When Sunderland are buying players, they are buying from Leverkusen and they are competing with AC Milan. That's the financial reality. It is the nature of what they have been able to develop over many years, especially with the TV money."
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