Overview

• In a German TV interview, Karl‑Heinz Rummenigge said Stuttgart had found an “idiot” to pay for Nick Woltemade, a jab widely understood to target Newcastle United.
• Bayern Munich pursued Woltemade in the summer but walked away when Stuttgart’s valuation rose, with Uli Hoeneß citing a €55m Bayern offer against a demand near €75m.
• Reported figures for Newcastle’s deal vary, with common ranges around £65–69m and some German reports suggesting up to €90m, underscoring opaque transfer structures.
• Rummenigge argued that rapidly rising fees and salaries are unsustainable and pointed to billionaire or state‑owned clubs in England and Paris Saint‑Germain as market drivers.
• Woltemade, 23, has begun to deliver on the pitch for Newcastle with two Premier League goals, including one in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.