Newcastle United are on the verge of completing a record-breaking move for Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade. The deal, worth more than £70m [$94m] plus add-ons, was confirmed by Fabrizio Romano on Thursday [August 28] night.
He reported: “Nick Woltemade to Newcastle, here we go! Agreement in place after official bid accepted.
Fee over €80m plus add-ons, medical in England in the next 24 hours with travel being arranged right now. Long term deal agreed with Woltemade who says yes to NUFC.”
The 23-year-old forward who has represented Germany twice has scored 17 goals in 33 Bundesliga appearances last season and had been a leading target for Bayern Munich earlier in the summer.
Newcastle have earlier failed in their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson, Hugo Ekitike and Jorgen Strand Larsen.
The move also follows growing speculation over Alexander Isak’s future with the striker linked to Liverpool while Callum Wilson has already completed a transfer to West Ham United.
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Newcastle United ready to push for La Liga star
With a striker deal almost complete, Newcastle have shifted their focus toward adding creativity in midfield, with Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reporting that the club are ready to pay £86m [$115m] for Barcelona’s 22-year-old playmaker.
The Tyneside club are also preparing to quadruple the salary of La Masia product, who currently earns £66,000 [$88,954] per week at Camp Nou.
Although Chelsea have also shown interest in Lopez, Newcastle are reportedly making the most determined push with Eddie Howe driving the pursuit as part of his plan to reinforce the squad ahead of a Champions League campaign that will demand greater depth and quality.
The move for Lopez would come on top of an already busy summer in which Newcastle have secured Anthony Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey, while Howe is simultaneously reportedly keeping tabs on Brentford forward Yoane Wissa, who has made it clear he wants a transfer in order to play European football.
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