Woltemade joined Juventus from Newcastle United on a season-long loan deal
Luciano Spalletti talks to Nick Woltemade of Juventus
Luciano Spalletti talks to Nick Woltemade of Juventus (Image: 2026 Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC)
Nick Woltemade has revealed he and his family were struck by the 'aura' of Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti during their first conversation ahead of his move to Turin.
And from that point, the Germany international was convinced he was making the right choice to leave Newcastle United and join the Italian giants on a season-long loan deal.
The 24-year-old endured a mixed first season at Newcastle following his club record £69million move from Stuttgart last summer, and despite a bright start that saw him score nine goals in his first three months at the club, question marks were raised over his suitability with the Magpies in the second half of the campaign.
Eddie Howe moved Woltemade from playing up front, into midfield, as he looked for more aggressive pressing from his forward players, before he ended the season playing as a number 10.
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Matthias Jaissle succeeded Howe in the dugout and despite using Woltemade as a 10 and as a central striker, he decided he was the expendable option in his forward arsenal as he signed Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille to find a more explosive forward who suits his high intensity playing style.
It meant Woltemade was free to leave and ultimately he joined Juventus on a season-long loan deal that does not include an obligation to buy.
He could return to Newcastle next summer if the two clubs do not strike a deal in the meantime but, in the here and now, Woltemade feels he has made the right choice and is confident he will improve under Spalletti, who has won trophies with Napoli, Zenit St Petersburg and Roma as a manager.
“When I met Spalletti for the first time with my family, we all thought one single thing: aura," Woltemade told DAZN. "He has a huge aura, he seems calm, but he is very clear in what he wants both on the pitch and off it.
"He is helping me a lot and immediately began working closely with me to help me improve. I am certain I will become a better player under him."
Woltemade made his debut for the Old Lady last week as he came off the bench and won a free-kick that set up Juventus' late equaliser in their 1-1 draw with AC Milan.
He will hope to get more opportunities across the next week when Juve take on Sassuolo and Atalanta in Serie A, as well as Dutch side NEC Nijmegen in the Europa League, before the September international break takes hold.
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