Alan Shearer has admitted Newcastle United have taken a risk by signing Nick Woltemade.
Newcastle United broke their transfer record to sign Woltemade from Stuttgart, with the Germany forward penning a long-term deal at St James’ Park.
There is optimism about the forward. Newcastle hijacked Bayern Munich’s move for Woltemade and Eddie Howe will no doubt be excited to work with him.
The Newcastle United manager did a brilliant job in turning Alexander Isak from a relatively misfiring forward to one of the best strikers in the world, so there should be some confidence he can improve Woltemade even further.
Still, there’s little doubt it’s a risk. Spending big money on a player who has scored 14 Bundesliga goals throughout his career is a gamble, and that’s no slight on the 23-year-old’s ability.
Shearer has delivered his verdict on the deal.
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Alan Shearer admits Nick Woltemade risk at Newcastle United
The Newcastle United legend was speaking on The Rest is Football show. He gave a rather brutally honest view about the deal.
Shearer admitted that the club have taken a risk, although he did describe it as a potentially “really clever signing”.
“Woltemade, I think, it can be a really clever signing,” he said.
“But it also comes with a risk because, ultimately, he’s probably had seven or eight months good football.
“He’s not scored a lot of goals, not got great experience.”
Asked about the price tag, Shearer said: “Unfortunately, Newcastle are always going to have to pay over the limit because there’s a Saudi price now.”
He added: “It could turn out to be a really clever signing. Bayern Munich were after him, top scorer in the Euros for the U21s. Potential, absolutely, but it’s a big, big ask for him to go in and lead the line as Newcastle’s number 9 for the next season or two.
“I’m not saying he can’t do it, but it’s a big ask.”
Woltemade could make his Newcastle United debut at home to Wolves on Saturday 13 September, 2025.
How Eddie Howe feels about Nick Woltemade
Howe is excited to work with Woltemade at Newcastle and the fact the club have signed Yoane Wissa too should help the German star bed in somewhat.
Now, the team have an experienced Premier League operator to lean on while Woltemade gets up to speed.
It will be fascinating to see how the Newcastle United manager uses the two players. While he has generally used only one striker in his system on Tyneside, both players look versatile enough to play together at times.
Shearer is right, Newcastle have taken a risk. It could, however, turn out to be a whole lot of fun.
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