Newcastle United has several significant decisions to make before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, and Nick Woltemade’s future is increasingly becoming one of the most intriguing after a difficult start to the new season.
Despite Matthias Jaissle publicly backing the German and saying he expects him to remain in Tyneside past the transfer deadline, Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that Napoli has directly approached Newcastle to explore taking Woltemade on loan.
“Napoli made contact to ask with Newcastle
over last 24h to ask about Nick Woltemade availability on loan deal,” Romano reported. “Napoli have easier option available with Marc Guiu from Chelsea but also explored Woltemade. Decision up to #NUFC.”
Romano’s information was outright refuted by Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, whose Newcastle “sources” insisted there had been no approach from the Serie A club.
“Sources close to the club insist there has been no enquiry from Serie A side Napoli for the Germany international after a story emerged of a loan bid,” Ryder reported.
It is a notable contradiction given Newcastle’s recent transfer reporting, notably Ryder’s, who pushed back against reports of Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes all summer long before the Gunners ultimately and as widely reported elsewhere more weeks on end ended up completing the midfielder’s transfer.
For Woltemade, there is enough uncertainty elsewhere to make Romano’s report particularly interesting. The Athletic’s Chris Waugh reported on Friday that an attacking signing or two could facilitate the 24-year-old’s exit, most likely temporarily on a loan deal, while TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reported that intermediaries have also discussed a potentia return to Stuttgart.
Woltemade started Newcastle’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over West Brom but failed to score, continuing a difficult run after producing 11 goals in 52 appearances during his first season on Tyneside.
“For all the players I expect them to stay as we talk today but you know football is quite complex and things can change from one day to the other,” Jaissle said Wednesday.
Napoli is also considering Chelsea’s Marc Guiu, whom Romano described as the more attainable option, so there is no indication yet of a formal offer, let alone agreement, for Woltemade.
Who do you trust more on the conflicting Napoli reports, and would you sanction a Woltemade loan if Newcastle signs another forward? Let us know in the comments section below.
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