Newcastle close on £78m deal to sign Stuttgart and Germany striker Nick Woltemade

Newcastle have agreed a £70m deal for Stuttgart’s Germany striker Nick Woltemade, who is due to have a medical on Tyneside on Friday morning. The 23-year-old’s transfer could very well open the door to Alexander Isak securing his long-coveted move to Liverpool.

Woltemade has two Germany caps and loomed large on Bayern Munich’s shopping list this summer after scoring 17 goals in 33 appearances for Stuttgart last season. The fee includes £5m of add-ons.

His arrival would end Eddie Howe’s long search for a striker. After being rejected by, among others, Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitiké, João Pedro and Benjamin Sesko during a close season blemished by Isak’s decision to go on strike as the forward attempts to force a move to Anfield, this breakthrough will come as a huge relief to Newcastle’s manager.

It should also almost certainly preface a fresh bid from Liverpool for Isak. Newcastle have rebuffed one £110m offer from the Premier League champions but, given the Swede’s refusal to return to training or playing, it is thought a sum nearer £130m may be sufficient.

With Callum Wilson having departed for West Ham and deep uncertainty surrounding Isak, Howe remains very much in the market for two strikers. This week Newcastle had a second, £55m bid rejected for the Wolves centre-forward Jørgen Strand Larsen and it appears unlikely the Norway international will be allowed to leave.

Negotiations for Brentford’s DR Congo striker Yoane Wissa remain ongoing but have proved complicated with Newcastle having at least two bids turned down for a player who appears to have set his heart on a transfer to St James’ Park.