Nick Woltemade and Joshua Zirkzee in transfer deadline battle to join European giant

Juventus are leading the race to sign Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade, talkSPORT understands.

As previously reported, the Magpies are actively looking to offload their club-record signing just a year after his arrival at St James’ Park.

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Woltemade completed a club-record £69million move from Stuttgart last summer, but managed just eight league goals in his debut campaign.

His struggles saw him face some stinging criticism, including being branded the worst signing in Premier League history.

The German doesn’t appear to be part of new manager Matthias Jaissle’s plans, having been named on the bench in the Magpies’ first two Premier League games, but grabbed an assist in their latest 2-0 win over Tottenham.

Duo chased by Juventus

Juventus have now emerged as frontrunners to sign Woltemade, with a potential loan move being mooted.

The Italian giants are in the market for a new forward as Jonathan David is in talks to join Atletico Madrid.

And should a move for Woltemade fall through, Juventus could pivot to another Premier League striker.

Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee is also on their radar, who has long been tipped to leave Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has been linked with a return to Serie A, with talkSPORT recently reporting that Fiorentina had entered talks with the Red Devils over a potential deal.

However, Zirkzee is not keen on heading to Florence.

While Juventus could now enter the race for Zirkzee, any move for him or Woltemade is contingent on David leaving the club.

Italy beckons?

With Newcastle keen to move Woltemade on before Tuesday’s deadline, Serie A has emerged as a possible destination.

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As well as interest from Juventus, league rivals Napoli are also reportedly among those keen.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A giants recently made contact with Newcastle regarding Woltemade’s availability.

Per the report, discussions had taken place last week between the two clubs, with Napoli weighing up stepping up their pursuit of the attacker.

Their plans to sign a new centre-forward follows Romelu Lukaku‘s departure to Fenerbahce earlier this month, which left Rasmus Hojlund shouldering goalscoring responsibilities.

Juventus and Napoli might not be the only Italian sides who could consider a move for Woltemade.

European football expert Andy Brassell recently tipped Cesc Fabregas’ Como to offer the 24-year-old a lifeline.

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With the Serie A side gearing up for their first-ever Champions League campaign, Brassell insisted Woltemade would be a welcome addition to their forward line, given new permanent signing Alvaro Morata‘s struggles on loan last term – who has since joined Leganes for the season.

He told talkSPORT: “If we’re looking for a value loan of a player who could still become elite level.

“I think that’s an interesting one for Como to look at if they could make something work.”

Woltemade’s Newcastle career

Woltemade has struggled to make his mark in English football in the year since his big-money move to Newcastle.

Despite a disappointing goalscoring record overall, the German started off well – scoring four goals in his first five Premier League games.

But he then suffered a dip in form, and went on to score just four more league goals last term, only one of which came in 2026.

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Should he leave Tyneside after just a year in the north east, Woltemade will depart having made 51 appearances overall, scoring 11 goals.