Newcastle United could have another significant departure to deal with before the summer transfer window closes.
Nick Woltemade’s future has suddenly become increasingly uncertain, even though the Germany international looked a lock to stay with the Magpies for at least another season.
The club-record £69 million (€80 million) signing endured an uneven first season at St. James’ Park, scoring eight goals and adding three assists across 33 Premier League appearances. This summer, new manager Matthias
Jaissle has experimented with Woltemade both as a striker and No. 10 during preseason, but a return to Germany is now reportedly appealing to the 24-year-old.
According to Leipziger Volkszeitung’s Guido Schäfer, Woltemade is prepared to leave Newcastle and wants to return to the Bundesliga, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig both identified as potential destinations.
“Nick Woltemade is said to be ready to leave Newcastle for Germany, where he intends to improve his chances under national coach Jürgen Klopp,” Schäfer reported. “Borussia Dortmund is mentioned as a potential suitor, and RB Leipzig is also in the running.”
The development comes after Sky Germany reported that Dortmund had already made preliminary inquiries with Newcastle regarding a potential loan for Woltemade. According to Sky Sports Germany, Dortmund’s ability to complete the deal could depend on selling Fabio Silva, for whom the Bundesliga club would consider offers around €20 million (£17 million).
Leipziger Volkszeitung also suggested that Newcastle should not expect to recover anything approaching its humongous investment in Woltemade this summer, thus the preference for loan deals from the Bundesliga sides.
“A permanent transfer is unrealistic,” Schäfer reported, “but a loan deal is conceivable.”
The motivation behind Woltemade’s reported stance adds another dimension, and it has everything to do with international football and escaping a potential career-stalling tenure at Tyneside. Jürgen Klopp is now in charge of Germany, and Leipziger Volkszeitung reported that Woltemade believes returning home could strengthen his prospects of staying on Klopp’s radar and earning further national-team caps after already making it to the 2026 World Cup.
Now, from Newcastle’s angle, this could be a crucial decision to make during the final week of the transfer window. Woltemade remains under contract after arriving only last summer, and allowing him to leave would reduce Jaissle’s established center-forward options to Yoane Wissa and Will Osula unless another central attacker arrives.
Would you sanction a Woltemade loan back to Germany after only one season, or give him another year to establish himself at Newcastle? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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