Newcastle complete £65m striker transfer to open door for Alexander Isak Liverpool move

Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart. The Germany international, who starred for his country at the Under-21 Euros at the start of the summer, arrives in a deal worth around £65million.

The arrival of Woltemade could pave the way for Alexander Isak to finally leave Newcastle. Premier League holders Liverpool saw a bid for the Sweden star knocked back earlier in the window, but are tipped to return with a new offer before the window shuts.

“I’m really happy to be at this amazing club," Woltemade said. "From the first contact, I felt like the clubreally wanted me and had big plans for me.

“It’s a big step in my life to leave Germany but everybody has welcomed me so well and it already feels like family. I have a really good feeling from speaking to the head coach that this is the right place for me to find my best level.

“I know the stadium from watching games on television - it looks amazing and I know the atmosphere is crazy. I’m really excited to play and start scoring goals here.”

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Manager Eddie Howe was full of praise for the new signing. “We’re delighted to get Nick’s signing over the line so quickly. He fits the profile for exactly what we have been looking to add to our attacking options," Howe said.

“He’s strong in a lot of areas - he has great technical ability and has proven himself to be a real threat in one of Europe’s top leagues - but he’s also still at an age where he has plenty of room to develop and grow here. Nick is a great character too and we’re really pleased to welcome him to the group.”

Woltemade, 23, scored 12 Bundesliga goals for Stuttgart last season and 17 in all competitions, helping his team qualify for Europe by winning the DFB-Pokal. He was also the top scorer at the European Under-21 Championships, where Germany lost to England in the final.

He is the fifth senior signing to join Newcastle this summer. Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey have all joined permantly for a combined cost of more than £100m, while Aaron Ramsdale arrived on a season-long loan deal from Southampton.

The Magpies have also made a number of sales, cashing in on the likes of Sean Longstaff and Lloyd Kelly. Longstaff could face his former employers on Saturday, with Newcastle away at his new side Leeds United.

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