Newcastle close in on £65m deal set to open door for Alexander Isak’s Liverpool transfer

Newcastle have been searching for a striker all summer, missing out on Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, but now Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade is heading to St James’ Park

Newcastle are set to break their transfer record after agreeing a £65million fee with Stuttgart to sign Nick Woltemade. The deal could prove to be a major turning point in the saga involving Alexander Isak, who’s been exiled amid his wish to join Liverpool.

Woltemade, 23, has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich throughout the summer after an impressive campaign with Germany at the under-21 European Championship. The forward scored six goals and provided three assists as his nation reached the final, only to lose England in extra-time.

Bayern reportedly made three bids for Woltemade, each of which were rejected by Stuttgart. Newcastle have now swooped in and appear to have successfully concluded their long search for a striker.

The Magpies had been rejected by their two major targets; Hugo Ektike, who signed for Liverpool, and Benjamin Sesko, who joined Manchester United. Other players who Newcastle looked at include Brentford star Yoane Wissa and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.

But Woltemade is en route to St James’ Park to complete a move, having said his goodbyes at Stuttgart on Thursday. It’s understood that Newcastle will pay the Bundesliga club an initial £60.5m plus £4.5m in potential add-ins.

READ MORE: Sweden boss warns Liverpool over what to expect if they complete Alexander Isak transferREAD MORE: Liverpool and Newcastle told Alexander Isak transfer ‘reality’ with agreement ‘expected’

Woltemade’s arrival may have a direct impact on Isak’s future, with the Magpies having turned down a £110m bid from Liverpool earlier this month. Although Newcastle had always been targeting a forward to replace second-choice Callum Wilson, who left upon the expiry of his contract in June, the club-record fee suggests that Eddie Howe believes Woltemade can step into Isak’s shoes.

Liverpool are yet to make a follow-up bid with five days remaining of the summer transfer window. Isak is still training away from the Magpies’ first-team squad and in fresh showdown talks with the Newcastle hierarchy this week, he reiterated his desire to leave.

After Isak – Newcastle’s current record signing at £63m – missed Monday’s 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool, Howe issued an update on the Swede’s future. “I have no idea where that (Isak) stands at this second,” the Magpies manager admitted.

Should Newcastle now sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool? Have your say in the comments section.

“The ideal from Newcastle’s side is we want clarity, we want to move forward. We want the narrative to change. We are in the start of the season now and we have to get results and try to focus on what we can control. We’ve given two really good performances and taken just one point. That’s tough for us to take.

“The quality of Alex would have made a difference in the two games, there’s no denying that. But that said the team functioned well and the performance doesn’t happen without every part of the team functioning well.”

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