Surprise as Nick Woltemade transfer valuation soars despite Newcastle United slump
Nick Woltemade has not scored a Premier League goal since December - a run stretching 15 games.
Nick Woltemade has soared in valuation despite a lack of playing time for Newcastle United.
The German arrived as one of two strikers tasked with replacing the outgoing Alexander Isak. Signed for a club-record £69million, Woltemade snubbed Bayern Munich interest to prove an instant hit on Tyneside.
He scored four goals in his first five Premier League starts to temporarily lift the post-Isak cloud at St James’ Park. However, since the turn of the year, Woltemade’s form has nosedived.
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Nick Woltemade poor Newcastle United run
The 25-year-old has not scored a top-flight goal since the 2-2 draw with Chelsea in December - a run stretching 15 games. A key reason for that has been Eddie Howe converting him into a makeshift midfielder.
Woltemade’s drop-off in form has divided supporters in recent months. Critics are writing the striker off as a £64million flop, with others blaming the manager for damaging his belief.
Nick Woltemade valuation rise
Despite failing to impress, Woltemade’s valuation has soared this season. According to transfermarkt.com, when he arrived at Newcastle, his valuation was just €30million.
That rose to a staggering €70million following his impressive start. As of last month, the football analytical site decreased that valuation to €65million.
But this remains significantly higher than some Newcastle fans may have feared. It is also vastly greater than Woltemade’s price tag less than two years ago.
In June 2024, almost a year before he joined the Magpies, the German was valued at €4million. Stuttgart signed Woltemade on a free transfer - and the rest is history.
Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade
Newcastle fans appeared to grow impatient at the weekend. Chants of “Woltemade, ole, ole ole” rang around St James’ Park as he warmed up.
Will Osula scored moments later to silence the calls, with Eddie Howe turning to Woltemade once Newcastle conceded a second. Reporters grilled the Toon boss on leaving the striker sidelined for 85 minutes at the full-time whistle.
“He (Woltemade) could have come on earlier,” Howe responded. “I was potentially going to bring him on just before we scored, but the goal made me change my decision. That’s often the way - the scoreline can change your decision-making in that moment.
“I thought Nick did okay when he came on. Of course, I want him on as much as anyone else, but I’ve always got to do what I think is right for the team in that moment. Of course, we try to make every player work regardless of the name or the individual. I want every player to feel part of what we’re doing and feel they’ve got an opportunity to play.
“But there is a big demand on Nick when he comes on to the pitch that he has to perform - I thought he did okay today. But I can only pick, with the system that I play currently, one striker and that at the moment is Will, and I think he’s justified that in the two games. I can’t play everybody as much as I’d like to.”