Split image: Nick Woltemade in action for Stuttgart (L). Jorgen Strand Larsen running for Wolves. Transfer news banner and Geordie Boot Boys logo.
Split image: Nick Woltemade in action for Stuttgart (L). Jorgen Strand Larsen running for Wolves. Transfer news banner and Geordie Boot Boys logo.
Newcastle United are closing in on the shock signing of Nick Woltemade, but where does that leave their chase for Jorgen Strand Larsen?
After a summer transfer window in which it has taken an age for Newcastle United to get anything done, the signing of Nick Woltemade has come completely out of the blue.
As eyes were on the Champions League draw on Thursday evening, it emerged that Newcastle have agreed a deal for Woltemade with Stuttgart.
Reported fees range from £65m-£80m for the ‘two-meter Messi-Musiala’ and Keith Downie reports he is heading to Newcastle to complete a medical ahead of Saturday’s game with Leeds.
Getting a move done so quickly is a refreshing development for Newcastle, who have been bogged down in bidding wars and missed out on targets all summer.
One player Newcastle have seen multiple bids rejected for is Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, but the signing of Woltemade doesn’t spell the end of the chase.
Jorgen Strand Larsen holds his fists in the air after scoring for Wolves.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United still want a second striker after signing Nick Woltemade
Newcastle will be spending a record fee on Woltemade, which will take their spending for the summer north of £200m, a far cry from last year when they were hamstrung by PSR.
However, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily done spending ahead of deadline day on Monday.
Geordie Boot Boys transfer expert Graeme Bailey said that he ‘wouldn’t rule it out yet’ when discussing Newcastle possibly signing Strand Larsen.
“They still want two.”
Newcastle have made two bids for Strand Larsen, the latest coming in at £55m, but Wolves do not want to sell the striker they only signed permanently earlier this summer.
Yoane Wissa is also an option for Newcastle, but it’s all gone quiet on that front as Brentford do not want to sell despite him refusing to play for them.
Will Alexander Isak leave Newcastle United for Liverpool after Nick Woltemade transfer?
Though Newcastle have had more room to spend this summer, the realities of PSR mean they can’t wildly splash as much of PIF’s limitless cash as they would like.
After such a big outlay, it’s difficult to see more buys being made without money being recouped in sales first.
This leads to the future of Alexander Isak.
Isak is refusing to play for Newcastle in hopes of forcing through a move to Liverpool, but the Magpies are not budging on their £150m asking price.
However, Liverpool may be encouraged to come back in with an improved offer in the wake of Newcastle’s big-money transfer.
If Newcastle want to make more additions and recruit another striker who actually wants to play for them this summer, they may be forced to concede some ground on their price tag if Liverpool don’t cough up what they want.