Relationship with Bavaria not strained
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Nick Woltemade and his possible move to FC Bayern was one of the most discussed transfer topics last summer. The German record champions tried for the striker for a long time, both sides are said to have agreed, but no agreement could be reached with VfB Stuttgart on the transfer fee. There was a debate about how much the 23-year-old was worth before Newcastle United struck and signed the Bremen native for 75 million euros shortly before the end of the transfer window.
For the Magpies, who made Woltemade the third most expensive German footballer in history, the attacker has scored six goals in 14 games so far. “The whole Newcastle package had potential for tension because I came on the last day. Then the transfer. The expectations of me because Newcastle’s top striker, Alexander Isak, left. The start of the season wasn’t ideal. There was pressure – I was very happy that it was gone. I quickly noticed in Newcastle that it was a good fit not only on a footballing level, but also on a human level,” said Woltemade about his move in an interview with “Bild”.
The initial transfer fee was 85 million plus bonuses of up to 5 million euros, until Woltemade itself confirmed 75 million euros. Meanwhile, Bayern are said to have been unwilling to offer more than 60 million euros plus a share in the sale. Woltemade said: “The topic of transfer fees was very present, I couldn’t get past it. I was confronted with it often. But I didn’t choose it, I’m the least responsible for the amounts involved. I was still happy that Newcastle saw enough in me to pay this amount. For me, for Nick Woltemade as a person, it makes no difference whether I go from Werder to Stuttgart for a free transfer or from VfB to Newcastle for 75 million euros. Even if I I know that the transfer fee means that a few more pairs of eyes are on me, although the subject of transfer fees is viewed in a much more relaxed manner in England than in Germany.
At the time of the move, the Bremen native was valued at 30 million euros after his first six months at the top level; according to the most recent update in the Premier League, he is worth 65 million euros. During the heyday of Bayern poker around the German international, there was often and public discussion about how much Woltemade should cost? Sports director Max Eberl had meanwhile asked: “Is Nick Woltemade worth 80 million?” However, the professional was only marginally aware of the new developments that sometimes occurred on a daily basis.
“I was already on vacation, after the U21 European Championships I just wanted to enjoy my free time. When there was more and more discussion about me and this transfer, I put my cell phone away. When the statement (by Eberl, editor’s note) was made, I was in Como with friends. It wasn’t until the evening that the reports about this statement popped up on my cell phone. But I know how business is, that questions can be unpleasant when you’re in front of the camera. So: Everything’s fine, there’s nothing left hang…”
Since the update on October 17th, Woltemade has continued his development within the club. He has also become more important for the DFB team and was the match winner with a brace in the 2-0 win in Luxembourg. TV expert Lothar Matthäus recently said that Woltemade should now be worth at least 100 million euros. “In England you don’t get to see everything every day anymore, that’s chilling (laughs). But of course, my market value has gone up significantly. I don’t know whether Lothar is right. But of course I’m honored by the statement,” said the striker. The next market value update will follow in December.
Woltemade on Rummenigge’s “idiot” statement and his World Cup dream
The fact that Bayern didn’t get Woltemade in the summer still seems to have bothered some at the club afterwards. This is how supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented on the personnel at the end of September: “I can only congratulate them in Stuttgart for finding an idiot – I’ll say it in quotation marks – who paid so much money, because we definitely wouldn’t have done that in Munich.” Woltemade sees this statement calmly. “This summer a lot was made of my name, Bayern and transfer fee, that was the story of the summer,” said the attacker, who put it into perspective: “The headlines afterwards said ‘idiots’ everywhere. But I read through Mr. Rummenigge’s entire statement – it was certainly a bit unfortunate, but not quite as dramatic.”
His focus is currently on the national team and qualifying for next year’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. To do this, at least a draw must be achieved against Slovakia on Monday evening (8:45 p.m.). “It would be a dream to play there in 2026,” confirmed Woltemade, who doesn’t want to talk about a secure squad place yet. “It’s still a long time away. You’ve seen with myself what can happen in six months. A lot will still happen. I’m trying to get myself in the best shape and carry on like I did last time: so that my World Cup dream comes true.”