Nick Woltemade transfer stance - Newcastle United make big call on £64m record signing
Newcastle United will not entertain offers for club-record arrival Nick Woltemade in the coming months.
Newcastle United have no intention of selling £64million record signing Nick Woltemade this summer.
Speculation - mainly from Germany - had ramped up in recent months. Media outlets on the continent have been keen to unsettle Woltemade since his move to the Magpies.
Toon chiefs gazumped Bayern Munich to sign the 24-year-old for a club-record fee last summer. Woltemade briefly silenced the naysayers by scoring four goals in his first five Premier League games.
However, Yoane Wissa’s return from injury coincided with a dip in form - and Eddie Howe soon converted Woltemade into a midfielder. The move did not work out, with the former Stuttgart man struggling to make an impact in the engine room.
Playing just behind an energised Will Osula, Woltemade has shown signs of improvement, He scored his first Premier League goal since December in the 2-1 win over West Ham United.
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Nick Woltemade going nowhere
The Gazette reported earlier this month that Woltemade remains as professional as ever and his attitude at Benton has never wavered amid the reports back home. At the time, Sky Sport Germany claimed he would keep his options open ahead of the summer window and was frustrated by a lack of game time.
But Newcastle sources view the German as a long-term investment and have no plans to cash in. That stance continues, with Howe impressed by Woltemade’s efforts in recent weeks.
Eddie Howe rejects striker hunt
In his press conference last Friday, the Toon boss downplayed suggestions he could sign a new striker this summer. Howe said: "Certainly not at the moment, because in terms of striker numbers, we've got healthy numbers in that position.
“I’d say it’s been a challenge for us, trying to find the right balance, trying to find a way to continually score goals and create the amount of chances that we want to. I don't think we're quite there yet. I think we've got work to do in that area.
“But obviously, Yoane’s had fitness struggles. Will Osula has really grown and flowered late into the season and I think he's done really well in recent games. Of course, Anthony's played there, Nick's played there and done well in the early season. So I think the players are there. We've just got to try and bring it all together and try and make it work.”
‘It bothers me’ - Nick Woltemade fires back
Last month, Woltemade hit out at those focusing on his goalscoring return. The Toon ace admitted he prefers to play up front but has been able to “expand his repertoire” under Howe.
“It bothers me,” Woltemade said when asked about the criticism. “If someone claims that I’m in a slump, I’d argue that this person doesn’t watch many Newcastle games.
“I know people associate me with goals, but you can’t compare a striker’s tally with that of a midfielder playing 50, 60, 70 metres from the opponent’s goal. I’m currently a completely different Nick Woltemade than I was at the start of the season.
“Right now, I should be judged by how I handle duels or secure space. Of course, I score far fewer goals now. But I’m completely relaxed. I don’t mind expanding my repertoire. And I’m convinced that, in the long run, it will make me stronger if I learn to navigate phases like this.”
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