The 6ft 6in has been subject to some cutting comments from Uli Hoeness and Mario Basler
Nick Woltemade
Nick Woltemade(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Newcastle United new boy Nick Woltemade has shrugged off his record £69million price tag and is confident he can make Bayern Munich eat their words.
Bayern tracked Woltemade during his 23-goal campaign last term but copped out of a move when presented with the final demand for his services by Stuttgart.
During the aftermath of deadline day Bayern's honorary president Uli Hoeness said Newcastle "overpaid" for Woltemade while Bayern legend Mario Basler made a grim forecast for the striker warning: "He'll have big problems in Newcastle."
Basler also blasted: "Uli Hoeness said it correctly. Woltemade isn't worth £69m million.
"And he'll have big problems in Newcastle. I don't think Woltemade will prevail in Newcastle. In my opinion, this move was the wrong one for Woltemade.
"Either he should have stayed in Stuttgart for another year or he should have gone to Munich. It all happened very quickly.
"An offer came in, and he was gone immediately. I think that was a huge mistake for the career of this young man, who certainly played a great six months. I think it was the wrong move. It wasn't the step for his career that would move him forward."
However, the 23-year-old, poised to make his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers, said: "In football, there is always pressure.
"In the matches I played in Germany, there was also pressure, but I like pressure.
"I didn't make my price, so I can't do anything about it. I just want to play football, and what the clubs pay is not my decision.
"But I am really happy that the club trusted me so much that they paid so much money. This club gives me a good feeling."
And speaking about Newcastle's desire to push forward and do the deal, as Bayern stepped back on deadline day, Woltemade has issued a thinly-veiled dig back at the 33-times Bundesliga winners.
Woltemade, talking to NUFC's TV channel, said: "Newcastle said: 'OK we will do it and we want to go all the way with you'.
"If a club wanted me that much I was like: 'OK I want to do it too'. I'm now in England at Newcastle and at my new home."
As Newcastle look to kickstart their season with a win over Wanderers at a packed-out St James' Park, Woltemade can't wait to repay the faith shown in him by new boss Eddie Howe.
Woltemade said: "Even though it was the first meeting it felt like I'd known him a long time.
"It just felt really good. We were laughing and talking (like friends).
"It was just about football, and that is important to me, to feel good. If I have a person like that, where I can feel good and feel myself, it's good.
"When you can talk with your coach, not just about football, that is so important."
The 6ft 6in striker had spoken to Howe over a video link during initial transfer talks and when opening up on his first meeting said:
"When I met Eddie in person, I said: 'Don't be shocked, I'm really tall!' But when I met him, I felt really happy, it didn't feel like the first time.
"I don't know the players personally yet, but I have met them and they have been really good to me. I am now just looking forward to playing with them."