Latest Newcastle United news with Nick Woltemade having his switch confirmed ahead of his new club's trip to Leeds United
Nick Woltemade has joined Newcastle United before they face Leeds United in the Premier League
Nick Woltemade has joined Newcastle United before they face Leeds United in the Premier League
(Image: (AP Photo/Petr David Josek))
Nick Woltemade has officially joined Newcastle United just hours before their Premier League clash against Leeds United. Eddie Howe has faced a very difficult summer transfer window with multiple targets opting for moves elsewhere while star striker Alexander Isak has made it clear he wants to leave.
Liverpool are expected to sign him if he does leave with the Magpies looking at Brentford's Yoane Wissa, Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea to further bolster their frontline. The latter looks set for a loan move to Bayern Munich, but interest remains in the other two strikers even after the arrival of Woltemade.
Links to Newcastle and a £69million agreement being reached with Stuttgart came as quite the shock on Thursday, but it certainly makes sense given how similar he is to Isak and Hugo Ekitike, who was Newcastle's favoured replacement for the Swede.
Woltemade is not quite a household name but he did score 17 goals in all competitions last season before then winning player of the tournament at the under-21 European championships.
Upon having his arrival confirmed, the German centre-forward told Newcastle's official website: "I'm really happy to be at this amazing club. From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me.
"It's a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.
"I know the stadium from watching games on television - it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I'm really excited to play and start scoring goals here."
With Anthony Gordon suspended for the next three matches, Newcastle quite clearly needed a new attacker in imminently. However, Woltemade will not be able to make his debut at Elland Road on Saturday with the switch not ratified until after the Premier League's 12pm registration deadline on Friday.
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Newcastle will also be without Joelinton, as Howe revealed in his pre-match press conference, but he was able to deliver positive updates on both Sandro Tonali and Fabian Schar.
"I think his [Tonali's] injury isn't serious, he's battling trying to be fit for tomorrow, but whether he will make it, I'm not sure. But really positive signs because we thought we'd be losing them for longer. Fabian is available. We followed concussion protocols, and he will be fine to play."
As for their Saturday evening opponents, Farke has confirmed that new signing Noak Okafor is an injury doubt with Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka ruled out. If Tonali is unable to feature, it could be two very different looking midfields facing off in west Yorkshire.
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