Newcastle branded 'idiots' for splashing out on record striker

Newcastle’s summer business was always going to be defined by the sale of Alexander Isak. The Sweden international was prized away in a £125M ($168.8M) move, leaving the Magpies not only with a sizeable war chest but also a glaring hole at the top of their attack.

Having missed out on several high-profile targets to replace him, Newcastle turned to Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade in the final days of the transfer window. 

The 23-year-old Germany international arrived at St. James’ Park for a club-record £69M ($93.2M) fee on deadline day, the latest statement of intent from a club still reshaping itself under Saudi-backed ownership.

Woltemade’s move raised eyebrows across Europe due to his relative inexperience and lack of name recognition at the very highest level. 

Even Bayern Munich, which had closely monitored the striker, has publicly questioned both the transfer and the price tag, with club executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge being particularly blunt. 

“I congratulate Stuttgart, because they found an idiot who paid the money we didn't want to pay in Munich,” he said, via Sky Sports.

Those comments quickly reverberated back to Tyneside, where Eddie Howe was asked to respond during his pre-match press conference in Brussels ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise.

“I think he's started very strongly in what's been a difficult period for him because he's thrust straight into action, no training time with us, really, of any note and I think he's done really, really well, so we're really pleased to have him with us and the transfer fee, for me, is absolutely irrelevant,” said Howe.

The striker has already offered glimpses of his quality in England’s top flight, scoring two goals in three Premier League appearances. While some players might feel the weight of a record fee, Howe believes Woltemade has the mentality to handle the pressure.

“I don't think he's that kind of character,” Howe added. “I don't think he necessarily over-thinks things too much, which is a really big strength. What he's going to be judged on is how he performs in the team and what he gives to the club going forward.”