Newcastle United are expected to make major decisions in attack this summer, with Nick Woltemade’s future in Tyneside now under serious threat following an inconsistent first season at the club.
The striker-on-paper arrived last summer for an initial £64million fee as part of a late scramble to replace Alexander Isak. Alongside Yoane Wissa, he was bought during the final days of the window after Newcastle missed out on several primary targets.
Woltemade started strongly, scoring six times in his first
11 appearances, but his form declined to the point that he’s not even appearing in games anymore.
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reported on Sunday that Newcastle will be forced to reassess that investment as part of their summer rebuild, hinting at a Woltemade sale to finance any incoming businesses.
“They do not have an elite centre-forward who can regularly score in the Premier League and it has destroyed their campaign,” Edwards wrote. “Woltemade is a riddle Newcastle have not solved. He needed too much time on the ball and as long as he was pushed away from goal he would not hurt them.”
Woltemade’s production has dropped significantly, with just seven goals across the season and none in the Premier League since December. Newcastle, according to Edwards, are now considering whether to move on from at least one of the Wissa and Woltemade signings, with the German the likeliest to depart.
“They will not get their money back for either Wissa or Woltemade, but it is understood the club are willing to cut their losses and recoup what they can,” Edwards wrote.
Newcastle’s next steps will depend on whether they choose to rebuild around a new striker or adjust their system to accommodate Woltemade moving forward, which would start with getting rid of Eddie Howe and bringing a brighter and more flexible mind to the SJP touchline.
