Overview

• Nick Woltemade moved from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United in the summer for a reported fee of around €90 million.
• Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Bayern would not have paid the price and described the paying club as an “idiot,” citing unacceptable fee levels.
• He said he argued internally at Bayern against meeting Stuttgart’s demands and called for a joint FIFA–UEFA dialogue on runaway transfer sums and salaries.
• Stuttgart chief Alexander Wehrle responded lightheartedly, saying the club welcomes congratulations from Munich.
• Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann defended Woltemade’s early Premier League spell, noting two goals in his last three games and saying the striker is on a good path.