Nick Woltemade receives late interest from Napoli - Fabrizio Romano
Napoli have contacted Newcastle United to explore a possible loan move for Nick Woltemade, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Romano reports that Napoli sounded Newcastle out during the previous 24 hours. The Serie A side have also explored a move for Chelsea striker Marc Guiu, currently considered the easier option.
There is no reported offer, agreement or approval from Newcastle. At this stage, it is an enquiry and nothing more advanced.
It is the second reported approach for Woltemade this summer following Borussia Dortmund’s interest earlier this month.
Another chance, the same concerns
The timing is notable.
Shortly before Romano’s update emerged, Matthias Jaissle said he expected Woltemade to stay at Newcastle, although he acknowledged that circumstances can change quickly.
When Jaissle arrived, Woltemade appeared to have been handed a genuine clean slate.
The new boss told him to forget last season and focus on improving. Since then, he has been tried as a 10 and striker without convincing in either role.
Wednesday’s 3-2 win over West Brom offered another major opportunity. Will Osula was unavailable, Yoane Wissa started on the bench and Woltemade led the line against Championship opposition.
There were a few neat touches but almost no threat. For such a physically imposing striker, he gave West Brom little to worry about and rarely looked capable of scoring.
While Amar Dedic created two goals, Bazoumana Toure scored and Harvey Barnes came off the bench to win the game, Woltemade drifted through another audition. He received a five in our player ratings.
One performance should not decide his future, but the same questions have followed him throughout pre-season.
Is he strong enough to lead the line? Can he influence games from deeper positions? What role actually suits him?
A loan may now suit Newcastle as well as Woltemade
A loan could give Woltemade regular football, rebuild his confidence and protect some of Newcastle’s considerable investment.
It could also allow Jaissle to stop forcing a role that does not suit the player or the team.
Newcastle invested a club-record sum in Woltemade, so there will understandably be reluctance to accept that the move has not worked as planned. However, the fee should not determine how many chances he receives indefinitely.
Interest from Dortmund and Napoli suggests Woltemade retains admirers elsewhere in Europe. Newcastle should not accept poor wage coverage or agree to a cheap purchase option, but they should listen if a serious proposal arrives.
Any departure would also depend on Newcastle’s attacking depth. Allowing Woltemade to leave without sufficient cover could leave Jaissle unnecessarily short.
The talent is still there in flashes. The performances are not.
If Napoli return with a sensible offer and Newcastle can replace him, a loan may now suit everyone.
