How Nick Woltemade compares to Alexander Isak as move to Newcastle United beckons
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Credit: Imago
Chris Smith
Thu 28 August 2025 20:42, UK
Newcastle United are finally on the verge of signing a striker as they close in on a deal for Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade.
The 23-year-old has been in demand this summer, having previously attracted serious attention from Bayern Munich.
However, a deal with the Bavarians never materialised, but Newcastle were always lurking in the background, with Woltemade seen as a back-up target to Benjamin Sesko.
Now – after also missing out on Hugo Ekitike this summer — the Magpies have finally made a breakthrough, agreeing a club-record £64million fee for Woltemade.
Rumours will now intensify regarding a move to Liverpool for Alexander Isak, but how do he and Woltemade compare?
If you’re looking at historical goalscoring return, there is no competition between Woltemade and Isak.
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The former enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024/25, registering 17 goals in 35 appearances across all competitions for Stuttgart.
However, his only other full top-flight season in 2023/24 yielded just two goals in 30 appearances for Werder Bremen, a year after scoring 17 times for SV Elversberg while they were in the third tier.
Woltemade has enjoyed more success at youth national team level, scoring 18 times in 40 appearances across various age groups for Germany — including a Golden Boot-winning six strikes at this summer’s U21 Euros to fire his side to a runner-up berth.
But at club level, Woltemade simply cannot compete with Isak, who has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle alone, following on from his exploits with Real Sociedad, AIK, Willem II and Borussia Dortmund.
ClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsNewcastle United1096211Real Sociedad132448AIK29131Willem II18147Borussia Dortmund1311Sweden52167Alexander Isak’s career stats so far
Looking solely at last season, Isak outscored Woltemade 23-12 in league play, outperforming the 23-year-old 0.75 – 0.67 on goals per 90 minutes (FotMob) — though the German proved to be a better creative force, creating 0.19 xA per 90 compared to 0.12.
Isak provided six assists to Woltemade’s two, but did so having played over 1,000 minutes more.
Where Woltemade really excels compared to Isak is in his involvement in all-round play and work off the ball.
Woltemade averaged 19.1 accurate passes and 1.72 successful dribbles per 90 last season, compared to 16.5 and 1.37, respectively, for Isak.
Defensively, the Stuttgart man made 0.39 successful tackles, 0.83 clearances and 0.61 possessions won per 90, compared to 0.16, 0.55 and 0.59 from Isak.
Credit: FotMob
“Nick is a striker who also likes to drop back.
He’s showing more and more the qualities of a centre forward as time goes on,” Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness said of Woltemade (Bundesliga, 14 August), who is nicknamed ‘Woltemessi’ by his teammates thanks to his dazzling footwork.
Woltemade is still very much a player growing, and Newcastle fans will have to be patient as he adapts to English football.
However, the German has incredible technique and talent, as well as all the tools to be a success on Tyneside.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Isak has made no secret of his desire to join Liverpool this summer, with the player coming to blows with Newcastle in a rather public manner.
Eddie Howe has always insisted he wants to keep Isak, and the Magpies needed to sign a striker regardless, thanks to the summer departure of Callum Wilson — who now plays for West Ham.
However, Football Insider sources say that Liverpool are ‘increasingly confident’ of completing a deal for Isak before Monday’s transfer deadline.
What’s more, football finance expert Dan Plumley told Football Insider (28 August) that the only way Newcastle can realistically keep players like Isak around long term is by mounting a Premier League title challenge.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed on Sunday that Newcastle are targeting two strikers before the deadline, suggesting they’re braced for the exit of Isak.
Indeed, it’s hard to see the Sweden international’s representatives not using the Woltemade deal as leverage to help get their client out of St.