Newcastle Strike Deal for Star Striker as Isak Exit Looms

Newcastle United have successfully secured their long-desired striker target with the signing of German international Nick Woltemade.

The Athletic confirms that Newcastle and VfB Stuttgart have reached an agreement that will bring Woltemade to St. James' Park for a base fee of £65 million (€75 million, $87.6 million) with an additional £4.3 million in performance-related bonuses.

This represents Newcastle's most expensive signing ever, surpassing the amount they paid to bring Alexander Isak—whom Woltemade could potentially replace—to the club in summer 2022.

Stuttgart had previously turned down three different offers from Bayern Munich for Woltemade during this transfer window, maintaining their stance that the player was not available. However, Newcastle unexpectedly submitted an irresistible proposal that convinced Stuttgart to part with their prized 23-year-old forward.

Eddie Howe's squad had been urgently seeking attacking reinforcements following Callum Wilson's free transfer departure to West Ham earlier this month. With Isak attempting to engineer a switch to Liverpool, the urgency for a new striker became even more pressing.

Following failed pursuits of forwards including João Pedro, Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitiké, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško, which forced them to use Anthony Gordon as an emergency striker in their recent match, securing Woltemade represents a significant coup for Newcastle.

Woltemade arrived at Stuttgart last season and netted 18 goals across 38 matches for the German club. His six-goal haul at the U-21 European Championships earned him the tournament's Golden Boot this summer. The forward excels as a penalty box threat while also possessing exceptional technical ability uncommon for someone of his physical stature.

The Magpies can now breathe easier having locked down a possible successor to Isak, although their ideal situation would see both players featuring together for at least the current campaign. The club hopes to position the German as Wilson's replacement rather than Isak's.

Woltemade is scheduled for his medical examination on Friday, though it appears unlikely he'll be available for Newcastle's Saturday evening clash against Leeds. His first appearance in a Newcastle shirt may need to wait until following the next international fixture period.