As Newcastle United fans get up to speed with Toon-bound forward Nick Woltemade, previous comments from Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott will intrigue many Magpies fans
Nick Woltemade of Germany congratulates Harvey Elliott of England after England defeat Germany 3-2 in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025 Final match between England and Germany at National Football stadium on June 28, 2025 in Bratislava, Slovakia
That is not a goalkeeper, that is Newcastle United's top transfer target
(Image: 2025 UEFA)
Newcastle United are on the verge of signing Nick Woltemade for £60.5million - and if the comments of Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott are anything to go by, then Magpies fans have plenty to be excited about.
After a summer of transfer snubs and well-publicised issues surroundingAlexander Isak, Eddie Howe must be relieved the German international is undergoing a medical. He may not have been Newcastle's No. 1 target, but the forward has established a huge reputation for himself in Germany and in Europe.
Bayern Munich tried and failed to sign the Stuttgart forward, who was the top goal-scorer at the Under-21 European Championship. Elliott, who the 23-year-old outscored to take the individual prize, knows exactly how good the centre forward is.
After being out-gunned by a singular goal, Elliott said: "He's an incredible player, he's been so good this tournament. I'm very happy for him and wish him all the best for the future."
It was a short but sweet statement from Elliott, which suited Woltemade to the ground. Last season, he contributed 17 goals and three assists, including five goals in five games in the DFB Pokal (the German equivalent to the FA Cup), which Stuttgart went on to win.
At first glance, it would be easy to assume the 6ft 6in forward is a traditional target man. However, many Stuttgart fans affectionately nicknamed him "two-metre Messi" despite the figures in his height almost being the opposite way round to the Argentinian great.
On several occasions last season, Woltemade found the net by waltzing his way through multiple defenders with the dexterity of a dressage horse, before beating the keeper with a composed finish.
Nick Woltemade of Stuttgart (L) is tackled by Dayot Upamecano of Bayern (R) during the Franz-Beckenbauer-Supercup 2025 match between VfB Stuttgart and FC Bayern München at MHPArena on August 16, 2025 in Stuttgart, Germany
Woltemade stands head and shoulders over most players(Image: 2025 Helfe Prang - GEZ Sportfoto)
For a gangly-looking player, he is sharp, and his ability to play with his head facing up means he is aware of where his team-mates and the opposition defenders are.
Brazilian-born Germany international Cacau, a Bundesliga winner with Stuttgart in 2007, summed the forward up perfectly, saying: "He is an amazing player. He can score goals but also give assists. He plays very unconventionally because he is tall but also technical. Very, very good."
Of course, it would be ill-advised to assume he alone will fill the huge void left by Isak. While there are some similarities: the tall and slender frame, the sharpness in the penalty area and the clinical finishing, he is not as fast as Isak and will likely need time to adapt to Howe's intense pressing style.
However, assistant head of first team recruitment Andy Howe strongly believes the 23-year-old is ready to lead the charge for Newcastle.
Considering Newcastle were looking to sign a replacement forward before even entertaining the prospect of selling Isak, Woltemade's arrival could prompt an exit for the absent striker. A second forward to fill the void departed by Callum Wilson is also on Howe's transfer list.
Brentford forward Yoane Wissa and Wolverhampton Wanderers' striker Jorgen Strand Larsen have all been of interest this year, but moves for the duo have looked difficult. However, when it looked like Newcastle had become a pariah club for all strikers in world football, it's perhaps fitting a striker of Woltemade's unique profile would be the one to put on the black and white shirt.