Newcastle United break Nick Woltemade transfer silence as Alexander Isak Liverpool saga takes fresh twist
Newcastle United are set to complete their fifth major summer signing ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds United.
Nick Woltemade is set to join Newcastle from VfB Stuttgart on a potential club record deal worth around £65million.
The 23-year-old is on Tyneside completing his medical and finalising his Newcastle transfer.
The German international is set to join after scoring 17 goals in all competitions in a breakthrough season at Stuttgart.
Eddie Howe quizzed on Nick Woltemade signing
When asked about the imminent signing of Woltemade, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe remained typically tight-lipped.
“Not too much [to say],” he said. “Positive signs, things are moving in a good way at the moment. Until things are done, can't confirm anything but fingers crossed.”
Newcastle would have to complete the signing of Woltemade and have him registered to play by noon in order for him to be available to feature in the match at Leeds United on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off).
But Howe played down the chances of that happening.
“I don't think that is going to be possible due to lots of reasons I don't understand,” he added. “The most important thing is we bring a striker in which is something we've been looking to do all summer.
“It’s something we’ve been working on for weeks but, as always, it’s about the right player and not any player. We’re working towards bringing in a player who we feel can bring the team forward.”
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Impact on Alexander Isak situation?
Woltemade’s arrival adds another twist to the ongoing Alexander Isak saga involving Newcastle and Liverpool.
Isak has declared his intention to leave Newcastle this summer amid interest from Liverpool, who have already had a £110million bid rejected for the striker. But with a player set to arrive at St James’ Park, Newcastle are just another striker signing and an acceptable Liverpool bid away from allowing Isak to leave.
When asked about Isak, Howe gave little away.
“Difficult for me to give you any clarity on the future,” he said about Isak. “I've said before, I don't know what the future holds in that respect because I'm not dealing with it myself. I've got no update from what I spoke about the other day.I'm concentrating on trying to bring players to the club.”
Howe did go on to hint the door remains open for Isak to return to the Newcastle squad despite his current determination not to do so.
“Yes of course,” Howe admitted when asked if Woltemade and Isak could play together for Newcastle.
“But one isn’t available to pick and one we haven’t signed so, that give it a bit of context!”
Newcastle are expected to remain active in the transfer window until the transfer deadline on September 1.
“Yeah, we're still looking because I think there's still an opportunity maybe to improve the squad further,” Howe continued. “But I don't know quite what that will look like.