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Germany’s football star Nick Woltemade, currently on vacation, is at the center of a transfer tussle between Stuttgart and Bayern Munich, who see him as Thomas Muller’s successor.
Germany’s breakout star, Nick Woltemade. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Amid swirling speculation about his future, Germany’s breakout football star Nick Woltemade has taken a step back, literally vanishing from the public eye while on vacation with his family.
The 23-year-old Stuttgart striker, whose transformation from squad player to national team member has been one of the most remarkable tales in German football over the past year, is now at the heart of a high-profile transfer tussle between Stuttgart and Bayern Munich.
While media reports continue to speculate about the transfer fee, Woltemade’s exit from Stuttgart seems increasingly inevitable, despite his popularity among the club’s fans.
Bayern’s interest in the forward was leaked two weeks ago, drawing criticism and putting sporting director Max Eberl and the Bavarian club in an unfavourable light for unsettling the player prematurely before the transfer window officially opens on July 1, reports Xinhua.
Having failed in their pursuits of players like Florian Wirtz, Jamie Gittens, Nico Williams, and Bradley Barcola, Bayern now appears determined to secure Woltemade. German media reports suggest the player and Bayern have already agreed on a personal contract through 2029, valued at a reported 7.5 million euros (8.8 million U.S. dollars) annually plus bonuses.
Woltemade remains under contract with Stuttgart until 2028, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.
Former German international and Stuttgart legend Karl-Heinz Forster offered a candid assessment, telling local media: “As hard as it might sound for Stuttgart, Woltemade is going to leave.”
Who is Nick Woltemade?
Woltemade’s meteoric rise has been one of the most talked-about stories in German football. After joining Stuttgart as a free agent from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2024, he quickly became a key figure, culminating in finishing last month’s UEFA U21 European Championship as top goalscorer.
Bayern views Woltemade as a long-term successor to veteran forward Thomas Muller. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany reportedly outlined the club’s plans for him during a recent video call.
While Bayern continues its campaign at the FIFA Club World Cup, with a quarterfinal against Paris Saint-Germain scheduled for Saturday, Eberl has returned to Europe to finalise talks with Stuttgart.
Direct negotiations between the two clubs reportedly began after the transfer window officially opened on Tuesday. With the window running until September 1, Woltemade is expected to return from his holiday to find clarity on where he will be playing next season.
With IANS Inputs
- Location :
Berlin, Germany
- First Published:
