Overview

• Newcastle confirmed the signing of Germany striker Nick Woltemade on a long-term contract, with the fee reported at about £65m or a package just over £69m including add-ons, eclipsing the club’s previous record for Alexander Isak.
• Woltemade’s arrival is widely viewed as increasing the chance of Isak leaving for Liverpool, though no agreement is in place and Isak continues to train separately after refusing to play.
• Liverpool had an offer of around £110m turned down earlier in the window, and multiple reports indicate any successful bid will need to be materially higher, potentially above £120m, with talk of an improved approach before the 7pm Monday deadline.
• Newcastle intend to recruit a second striker before entertaining offers for Isak, with Yoane Wissa and Jørgen Strand Larsen among the options being pursued.
• Eddie Howe has signalled conditional openness to an exit, saying he cannot ignore recent events, as a sizeable sale could also ease Newcastle’s Profit and Sustainability considerations.