First step to end Isak saga? Newcastle close in on Woltemade

In a move that could have a significant impact on Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak, Newcastle United are close to signing Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade.

After striking a deal with the Bundesliga side, the 23-year-old German international is reportedly on his way to Tyneside.

Before moving to St James’ Park, Woltemade will go through a medical, which has also attracted Bayern Munich’s interest this summer.

After Newcastle previously spent $63 million to make Isak the most expensive player in their history when he arrived from Real Sociedad, a source said the payment would set a club record.

Isak, of course, continues to work for Liverpool, and Woltemade’s move could inspire the champions to return to the table in the wake of last month’s £110m bid being rejected.

Newcastle did not anticipate the Swede’s sale being approved, namely the signing of two top strikers and receiving an offer from Liverpool that actually made the club a decision, according to a statement last week.

However, the Magpies have since made a deal with Woltemade, who would be seen as a center-forward capable of leading the line at the moment and as a player with enormous potential for growth, which feels like a significant first step.

The frontman, who was born in Bremen and has two caps for his nation, has a remarkable 12-month.

After joining Stuttgart for free from Werder Bremen for free last summer, Woltemade didn’t even start as a regular starter. The 6’6″ striker then won the first major trophy of his career, scoring 17 goals in 33 games, including the German Cup final opener.

He then scored six goals as Germany advanced to the final, where they lost to England, by beating Germany 3-2 at the Under-21 Euros last month.

The tall Woltemade, who has qualities compared to Lionel Messi and Jamal Musiala, was described by Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor as a “two-metre Messi-Musiala” in an interview back in February.

After Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, and Joao Pedro left for another city, Newcastle had previously been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign a striker this summer.

Given their superior revenues, wages, and legacy, these setbacks highlighted the challenge they have to overcome in order to compete with Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea for top targets.

After Callum Wilson’s ex-England international left on a free transfer, Newcastle also had bids rejected for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa.

However, the staff worked tirelessly in the background to achieve a breakthrough.

The negotiations over Woltemade were crucially kept secret by all parties until a deal was reached, in contrast to the moves made for Ekitike, Sesko, and Pedro.

As the Swede trains away from the rest of his team-mates, it is a big boost for head coach Eddie Howe, who has started winger Anthony Gordon right away in Isak’s absence.