'It's a big ask': Alan Shearer says Newcastle United's record-breaking transfer comes with huge risk
Newcastle United once again broke their transfer record this summer, signing Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart for £69 million.
The 6'6" German striker arrived at Newcastle after bagging the golden boot at the summer's Under-21 European Championships, where he scored six goals in five games.
Those performances, combined with a good showing for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, alerted Bayern Munich, who tried to sign the 23-year-old several times throughout the summer before Newcastle swooped in with an offer too good for Stuttgart to turn down.
With the huge transfer fee and the fact that Woltemade is the replacement for Alexander Isak, there's potentially a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders.
Alan Shearer is concerned about the signing of Nick Woltemade
Alan Shearer has now voiced his concerns over the signing on The Rest Is Football podcast, saying that it could be a clever signing, but it also comes with a big risk.
“Woltemade, I think, it can be a really clever signing. But it also comes with a risk because, ultimately, he’s probably had seven or eight months good football.
“He’s not scored a lot of goals, not got great experience.
“Unfortunately, Newcastle are always going to have to pay over the limit because there’s a Saudi price now.”
“It could turn out to be a really clever signing. Bayern Munich were after him, top scorer in the Euros for the U21s. Potential, absolutely, but it’s a big, big ask for him to go in and lead the line as Newcastle’s number 9 for the next season or two.
“I’m not saying he can’t do it, but it’s a big ask.”
Yoane Wissa can shoulder the burden of scoring the goals for the majority of the season
Hopefully, Newcastle fans are more savvy than to expect the lad to start banging in goals at a similar rate to peak Isak.
There is more than likely going to be an adjustment period as he gets used to the speed and the physicality of the Premier League.
Thankfully, we now have Yoane Wissa, who can grab the bulk of the goals this season, while Woltemade gets acclimatised.
