Nagelsmann Raises Doubts Over Woltemade’s £90m Newcastle Move
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has spoken out about Nick Woltemade’s high-profile transfer from Stuttgart to Newcastle United, and it’s clear that he has some real reservations about how this move might play out.
Woltemade, a 23-year-old striker who had been gradually building his reputation in the Bundesliga, was snapped up by Newcastle this summer in a deal worth around £90 million. For many, it was a surprising transfer fee, especially considering that his career really started to take off only in the past year. The player was described by fans as going from “Woltemade to Wolte-Messi” after dazzling performances with Stuttgart, particularly due to his dribbling skills despite his tall, lanky frame.
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But while Newcastle supporters are excited about his flair and potential, Nagelsmann isn’t entirely convinced this is the right move at the right time. After Germany’s unexpected defeat to Slovakia, where Woltemade started but didn’t make the impact many had hoped for, the coach admitted that the switch to the Premier League could come with challenges. His exact words were, “It’s not ideal,” a clear indication that he feels Woltemade may be risking his development in exchange for a big-money move.
It’s not just Nagelsmann who has voiced concerns. Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß also weighed in, criticizing Newcastle’s transfer strategy. He bluntly said that what the English club is doing “has nothing to do with football,” comparing it instead to a game of Monopoly. Bayern themselves had tried to sign Woltemade earlier in the window, offering €55 million, but Stuttgart held out for more. When Newcastle arrived with a staggering €90 million bid, Stuttgart couldn’t resist, and the deal was sealed.
Despite the controversy, there’s no denying the talent Woltemade brings. Standing at 1.98 meters, he looks every bit the target man, but his biggest strength lies not in holding the ball up but in gliding past defenders with ease. Observers who’ve followed him closely point out that he still needs to sharpen his finishing and composure in front of goal. Yet, under Eddie Howe’s guidance, there’s hope he can develop into one of Europe’s most entertaining forwards. Woltemade himself has said he enjoys being “the entertainer,” which suggests he thrives under the spotlight.
For Germany, however, the concern is obvious. Young players who move abroad too quickly sometimes struggle for minutes, and a striker without regular game time is of little use to a national team looking to rebuild after recent disappointments. Nagelsmann’s cautious words highlight that tension—while Newcastle may have secured a gem, it remains to be seen whether Woltemade’s rise will continue smoothly in England, or whether this big-money gamble will slow his progress at the international level.
Either way, the eyes of both Bundesliga fans and Premier League followers will be firmly on him when he makes his debut in black and white.
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