- Newcastle pay £69m to sign Stuttgart striker Woltemade
- Hamann calls deal ‘too much’ and ‘unknown gamble’
- Move expected to clear way for Isak’s £130m 利物浦 switch
Newcastle confirmed Woltemade’s arrival on a long-term deal after agreeing a record fee with Stuttgart. The towering 6ft 6in forward has impressed in 德國 but arrives without 冠軍聯賽 experience.
正在說話 Adventure Gamers Hamann said: “Nick Woltemade is a good player but 拜仁慕尼黑 bid €60 million and I thought that was too much. Now Newcastle will pay up to €90 million. He’s 23. He’s had 6 months where he’s shown he’s a very good player but it’s far too much money. He has never played in the Champions League as he was not included in Stuttgart’s Champions League squad last season so it’s a bit of a trip into the unknown.”
“Woltemade is very gifted technically and obviously with his height there’s always comparisons with Peter Crouch, who was a very good footballer. He’s probably a better header than Crouchy. Maybe a little bit quicker as well. A good player but it’s too much money.”
Woltemade’s signing also increases the likelihood of Isak departing, with Liverpool readying a £130m ($175m) offer for the 瑞典 striker. Hamann also believes that Newcastle will now allow Isak to leave St. James’ Park: “What does it mean for Isak? I think he’ll join Liverpool. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t going. There’s talk about him being brought back into the Newcastle squad, becoming reintegrated but a lot has happened. I think he’ll end up at Liverpool.”
The German striker is now likely to make his 英超聯賽 debut with Newcastle when the Magpies take on Wolves on Saturday, September 13. He is expected to be the main striker for Eddie Howe for the rest of the season.
