First Step To End Isak Saga? Newcastle Close In On Woltemade

Newcastle United are closing successful connected nan signing of Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade successful a move that could person a immense effect connected Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak.

The Germany international, 23, is understood to beryllium en way to Tyneside aft a woody was struck pinch nan Bundesliga side.

Woltemade, who has besides attracted liking from Bayern Munich this summer, will acquisition a aesculapian up of completing a move to St James' Park.

There is nary confirmation of nan fee, but a root suggested it would represent a nine grounds aft Newcastle antecedently spent £63m to make Isak nan astir costly subordinate successful their history 3 years agone erstwhile he arrived from Real Sociedad.

Isak, of course, remains wished to subordinate Liverpool and Woltemade's move could yet springiness nan champions encouragement to return to nan array successful nan last days of nan model aft having a £110m bid rejected past month.

In a connection past week, Newcastle did not foresee nan conditions of waste being met for nan Swede - namely securing 2 value strikers - arsenic good arsenic receiving an connection from Liverpool that really gave nan nine a determination to make.

However, nan Magpies person since struck a woody for Woltemade, who would beryllium viewed arsenic a centre-forward tin of starring nan statement correct now, arsenic good arsenic a subordinate pinch immense imaginable to create further, which feels for illustration a important first step.

The move caps a singular 12 months for nan Bremen-born frontman, who has 2 caps for his country.

Woltemade was not moreover a regular starter astatine first for Stuttgart aft joining nan nine connected a free transportation from Werder Bremen past summer. But nan 6ft 6in striker went connected to people 17 goals successful 33 games, including nan opener successful nan German Cup last arsenic he won nan first awesome trophy of his career.

He past lit up nan Under-21 Euros past period and vanished nan tourney arsenic apical scorer pinch six goals arsenic Germany reached nan final, wherever they mislaid 3-2 to England.

With qualities likened to Jamal Musiala and Lionel Messi, nan towering Woltemade was called a "two-metre Messi-Musiala" by Stuttgart skipper Atakan Karazor in an question and reply backmost successful February, external

"He tin power nan ball, but astatine nan aforesaid clip he tin besides dribble for illustration a 1.6 metre dribbler," he said of his nine team-mate. "He's a subordinate who is 2 metres gangly but he has method for illustration Messi."

Newcastle had antecedently been disappointment successful their efforts to motion a striker this summertime aft Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro moved elsewhere.

These setbacks highlighted nan situation they person faced to compete pinch Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea for apical targets, fixed nan superior revenues, costs bills and bequest of these clubs.

Newcastle person besides had bids rejected for Wolves guardant Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford's Yoane Wissa, who were viewed arsenic replacements for Callum Wilson pursuing nan ex-England international's departure connected a free transfer.

However, unit person continued to activity tirelessly successful nan inheritance to effort to make a breakthrough.

Unlike nan moves for Ekitike, Sesko and Pedro, nan pursuit of Woltemade was crucially kept nether wraps by each parties until a woody was concluded.

It represents a immense boost for caput coach Eddie Howe who, successful Isak's absence, has fielded winger Anthony Gordon up beforehand arsenic nan Swede continues to train distant from nan remainder of his team-mates.

A reddish paper successful their 3-2 Premier League conclusion against Liverpool successful midweek will besides norm Gordon retired for 3 games, starting pinch nan travel to Leeds United connected Saturday.