Newcastle mocked for Nick Woltemade deal by finance expert
Nick Woltemade “wasn’t high on the list” of striker targets at Newcastle United this summer.
Newcastle signed Woltemade in a club-record deal from Stuttgart, with the £69million fee eclipsing the £63million they paid for Alexander Isak in 2022.
The Germany international registered 17 goals and three assists across his 33 appearances in all competitions last season.
Woltemade has arrived at Newcastle after Eddie Howe’s side spent weeks trying to sign a new striker to replace Isak.
Isak joined Liverpool in a £125million deal on deadline day, bringing the biggest transfer saga of the summer window to an end.
Newcastle could have signed Nick Woltemade two months ago
This article contains exclusive comment from Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Man City.
Newcastle have also signed Yoane Wissa from Brentford, with the deal believed to be worth around £55million.
Wissa and Woltemade will be in line to make their debuts at St James’ Park against Wolves on 13 September following the upcoming international break.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Woltemade deal, Borson said: “Where was he on the pecking order of deals at Newcastle?
“He wasn’t very high up on the list. I mean, they wouldn’t have got to this stage. They could have got this player two months ago if he was the chosen striker.
“It’s pretty clear if they’d have paid this price two months ago, they could have got him. I don’t think they’re in a position to turn down this kind of money.
“We will see. He’s a player all of sudden everybody claims to know all about, but it’s very unlikely that’s the case because we know that almost nobody watches mid-table Bundesliga in England particularly.
“I don’t believe that most people have great insight into the player. He looks good on the clips, no question about that. But the rise is meteoric, and the fee is enormous.
“So, it’s a big challenge for the player, but he does look good on the clips, and no question the fee is just enormous.”
Wolves could offer Newcastle target big-money deal
Newcastle made a move to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen last week, but they saw a £55million offer rejected for the forward.
Football Insider revealed on 31 August Wolves could offer Strand Larsen a new big-money contract to remain at Molineux.
The 25-year-old has registered 16 goals and five assists in 41 appearances since joining Vitor Pereira’s side last summer.
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