Nick Woltemade, centre, during Germany's European Under-21 Championship final against England (PA)
Nick Woltemade, centre, during Germany's European Under-21 Championship final against England (PA)
Newcastle have finally agreed a deal to sign a replacement for Alexander Isak, with Liverpool now poised to make a second bid.
After failed pursuits of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle have now agreed a deal for a new centre-forward.
It was widely reported on Thursday evening that the Tyneside club are finalising an €80 million (£69.3m) move for Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade.
Stuttgart have confirmed that Woltemade has been granted permission to travel for talks, with a conclusion to be expected on Friday.
Woltemade is understood to have flown to the UK and Newcastle could even secure his signing in time for Saturday’s clash with Leeds.
This transfer will open the door for Liverpool to revive their push to sign Isak, who has spent the summer separate from Newcastle’s first-team squad having made clear his desire to leave.
Alexander Isak scores vs. Sunderland in FA Cup. January 2024 (Owen Humphreys/PA)
Alexander Isak scores vs. Sunderland in FA Cup. January 2024 (Owen Humphreys/PA)
An initial offer worth a flat £110 million was rejected at the start of August, with Liverpool subsequently distancing themselves from the situation until Newcastle gave encouragement a deal could be completed.
With Woltemade all but signed and a deal for either Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen or, more likely, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa still in the offing, that encouragement is now likely to come.
It has been suggested that Newcastle would be willing to sell Isak for a package worth £130 million – inclusive of add-ons – which is considerably lower than the £150 million price tag sources in the northeast have insisted upon.
Quite how high Liverpool are willing to go for their priority attacking target remains to be seen, with the Times’ Paul Joyce suggesting this week that the champions may view even £130 million as overpriced, particularly given Isak is adamant on joining.
Progress can be expected in the very near future as the transfer window closes at 7pm on Monday, with it possible that dialogue has already resumed between the two clubs.
Despite the fiery atmosphere inside St James’ Park on Monday, those in the boardroom will have looked to maintain a healthy relationship – and Liverpool’s conduct following their first, unsuccessful bid showed respect to their counterparts at Newcastle.
Any deal for Isak will almost certainly shatter the British transfer record again, exceeding the £116 million fee committed to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer.
ROUNDUP COLLAGE (12)
ROUNDUP COLLAGE (12)