ยท 29 August 2025, 12:00
**The fact that Eddie Howe even acknowledged the reports that Nick Woltemade is heading to Newcastle United is about as big a sign as we'll get that the deal is close.**
Eddie Howe wouldn't comment if the deal wasn't practically done, and given the fact that the 6'6" German striker landed on Tyneside last night, it would have been pretty hard for the gaffer to get away with denying that he was on the way.
That being said, Howe was very careful to make sure everyone was aware that the deal wasn't completed at the time of the press conference on Friday morning.
The cut-off for registering new players to be able to play at the weekend is Midday on Friday, which means that the deadline has now passed.
> [](https://twitter.com/CraigHope_DM/status/1961345611778646056)
Eddie Howe doesn't believe Nick Woltemade will be registered in time to face Leeds
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Eddie Howe was pretty certain this morning that Woltemade would not be registered in time to be able to face Leeds on Saturday.
Howe stated 'reasons I don't understand' as to why the 23-year-old will now have to wait three weeks to make his Newcastle United debut, thanks to the international break.
That could actually be a blessing for Eddie Howe in a way, as he now gets to work with his new signing before throwing him into the team.
Nick Woltemade has been called up for Germany
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That being said, Woltemade has been called up by the German national side, so he will spend the bulk of his first couple of weeks at the club with the national set-up.
We expect that Woltemade will travel with the team to watch his new teammates in action on Saturday at the very least.
This, of course, means that Will Osula is likely to start for Newcastle, looking to add to his goal on Monday night.