Newcastle United’s attempts to reshape its attack could have consequences for several current players, with Matthias Jaissle still hoping to add as many as two offensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
Nick Woltemade increasingly appears to be the odd man out. The German was an unused substitute against Liverpool and, with Newcastle pursuing both Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Bilal El Khannouss, the club could allow last summer’s £69 million (€80 million) signing to leave if any of
those two forwards arrive.
According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, that possibility has attracted interest from Woltemade’s former club Stuttgart, with intermediaries already discussing a potential return to Germany, likely linked to El Khannouss move the other way.
“Newcastle United have made contact about Stuttgart star Bilal El Khannouss, which could yet open the door for Nick Woltemade to leave the club, TEAMtalk understands,” Bailey reported. “We can reveal that intermediaries have held talks with Stuttgart about Woltemade and a possible return to the club he left last year.”
A permanent transfer appears financially unrealistic for Stuttgart, but there is another route that could facilitate Woltemade’s return only 12 months after leaving the Bundesliga club.
“Stuttgart could not afford to buy Woltemade outright at this stage, but a loan deal could be an option that suits all parties,” Bailey reported.
Regarding El Khannouss, Bailey reported that the Bundesliga club wants approximately €57 million (£49 million) for the Morocco international, and there is at least a theoretical possibility of the two negotiations becoming connected in something of a swap deal with financial incentives going to Newcastle, if not an outright discount deal.
“In theory, Newcastle could also secure more favourable terms for El Khannouss if Woltemade were somehow incorporated into the negotiations, although no such agreement is currently in place,” Bailey reported.
Stuttgart is not Woltemade’s only possible escape route, however, as Bailey also reported that Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have shown interest in the 24-year-old, as other outlets have echoed of late.
Would you send Woltemade back to Stuttgart on loan if it helped Newcastle complete a deal for El Khannouss? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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