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Newcastle signed Nick Woltemade for a record fee as Alexander Isak nears Liverpool.
Will Alexander Isak leave Newcastle United? (AP)
Alexander Isak’s potential transfer to Liverpool is closer than ever as Newcastle United secured German international striker Nick Woltemade for a club record fee, reportedly up to £69 million ($93 million, Rs. 821.50 crore), on Saturday. The fee surpasses the £63 million Newcastle paid Real Sociedad for Isak three years ago.
The 23-year-old Woltemade, who has been capped twice for Germany, signed a long-term deal.
Liverpool has set its sights on the 25-year-old Isak, who is considered one of the best centre-forwards in the world. The Premier League champions are preparing to submit an improved offer for the Sweden striker after their initial £110 million bid was turned down in the first month of the window.
Newcastle have continued to deny that Isak is for sale, but reports claim that they want to delay sanctioning a sale until they get two new strikers on the payroll. Apart from Isak, who has not been training with the team for weeks, Callum Wilson has also left the club and joined West Ham United on a free transfer.
Woltemade, Newcastle’s fifth signing since last season ended, is likely to be one of the two.
“From the first contact, I felt like the club really wanted me and had big plans for me,” Woltemade, who netted 17 goals in 33 matches across all competitions last season, said. “It’s a big step in my life to leave Germany, but everyone has welcomed me so warmly that it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level. I know the stadium from watching games on television — it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who has faced challenges in the transfer market, praised Woltemade, who was the top scorer with six goals at this summer’s Under-21 European Championships, as an ideal addition.
“He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options,” said Howe. “He’s strong in a lot of areas — he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe’s top leagues — but he’s also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here. Nick is a great character too,” he added.
Isak played a crucial role in the Magpies’ qualification for the Champions League and their League Cup victory last season. But the relations between him and the team are said to be totally severed.
Newcastle’s striker search is still ongoing, with Wolves’ Norwegian footballer Jørgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s DR Congo striker Yoane Wissa high on their lists.
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