Newcastle United have reportedly agreed a £65million deal to sign Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, in a move that could trigger the departure of Alexander Isak.
The Magpies have been frustrated in their efforts to sign a centre forward this season, having seen Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko sign elsewhere.
But they appear to finally have their man in the form of Woltemade, with reports claiming Newcastle have agreed a fee for the Germany international, who is said to be en route to Tyneside for a medical. Newcastle will reportedly pay £60.5m with £4.5m in add-ons.
And the move could have big implications both in the north east and on Merseyside.
What could Woltemade move mean for Isak?
Newcastle talisman Isak has refused to train or play for the club as he bids to force through a move to Liverpool in the transfer saga of the summer.
It has been repeatedly indicated that Newcastle would not sanction a sale of Isak without signing two strikers.
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Yet the capture of Woltemade, seen as one of the best young strikers in European football, will surely provide encouragement to Liverpool that Newcastle will now be ready to do business.
Newcastle pull off major coup
Woltemade was the subject of significant interest from Bayern Munich earlier in the transfer window, however, the Bundesliga champions were unable to agree a deal for the 23-year-old.
In that sense, Newcastle's swoop for Woltemade represents a major coup, and they will hope he will continue the kind of form he produced at Stuttgart.
Woltemade scored 17 goals in all competitions for Stuttgart last season, netting in the DFB-Pokal final to help Stuttgart beat Arminia Bielefeld.
His form led to him being called up to the Germany national team in May, with Woltemade featuring twice in the UEFA Nations League finals.
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