Newcastle desperate to avoid ‘huge loss’ on Nick Woltemade as Bayern Munich priced out of deal
Newcastle United are adamant that they cannot allow striker Nick Woltemade to leave on the cheap this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Magpies are certain that they cannot afford to stomach a “huge loss” on the 24-year-old, after they shelled out an initial £69million to sign him from Stuttgart last season.
Bayern Munich have shown an interest in taking him back to the Bundesliga, but sources have indicated that they are unwilling to splash out the level of money that Newcastle would demand in order to sell their star.
The German giants are also well-stocked when it comes to options at the top of the pitch, and have now turned their attention elsewhere.
Woltemade hasn’t scored in the Premier League since December, and while his form is providing a major concern on Tyneside, Newcastle have no plans to try and cut their losses on him.
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VISIT THE NEWCASTLE TRANSFER HUBNewcastle evidence convinces Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have been long-term admirers of Woltemade, having previously been heavily linked with him last summer before he ultimately ended up moving to the Premier League.
However, it is also clear that the frontman’s form since moving to St James’ Park has put off the Bavarian outfit, as they are now convinced that he is not worth paying big money to sign.
| Stats | Woltemade Totals |
| Apps (Starts) | 30 (21) |
| Goals (xG) | 7 (6.39) |
| Goals per 90 | 0.37 |
| Shots on Target per 90 | 0.64 |
| Big Chances Missed per 90 | 0.32 |
| Conversion Rate | 22.6% |
Vincent Kompany’s side are set to see Newcastle-linked Nicolas Jackson return to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell, but are now ready to look elsewhere rather than move for Woltemade.
The youngster made a bright start to his time in England with four goals in his first five league starts, but his level of impact for the Magpies has since faded dramatically.
Eddie Howe has used him in a deeper-lying attacking midfield role at times, and he was left out of the matchday squad altogether for the 3-1 win over Brighton last weekend.
Woltemade’s recent decline has left Newcastle in a difficult situation, but they are not willing to succumb to a cut-price offer for him ahead of next season.
Magpies set to struggle in ‘buyer’s market’ this summer
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last week that there is a “huge question mark” over Woltemade at Newcastle, amid uncertainty as to how he will be used next term.
The Scottish businessman outlined that this summer’s transfer window is likely to be a “buyer’s market” with little cash floating around for big-money deals.
He warned that Newcastle are likely to face a difficult few months if they are trying to sell players rather than buy, and could find themselves “chasing deals” as a result.
Wyness made it clear that Woltemade is a problem that the club hierarchy need to solve, amid concerns that he may not even figure in Howe’s plans for next season.
He was signed last summer as a marquee signing, but the starlet has quickly become a player who is inadvertently providing more issues than solutions at the moment.
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