When it comes to big money signings, Newcastle United haven’t put a foot wrong since the 2021 takeover.

Bruno Guimaraes has earned legend status on Tyneside, Sandro Tonali has cemented himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, and few can deny how electrifying Alexander Isak was over the last two seasons.

So with Nick Woltemade becoming our new club record signing, expectations are high that he will justify his hefty price tag and become one of the best strikers in the Premier League following his £69m move from Stuttgart.

Though despite his huge potential, unique profile and the fact Newcastle have pinched a player Bayern Munich pushed to sign all summer, Woltemade is still developing and lacking in top level experience, something which Alan Shearer feels we should remember before heaping too much pressure and expectation on the youngster.

Shearer excited but wary on Woltemade

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer appeared a bit more reserved rather than excited when discussing the signing of Nick Woltemade, citing his lack of big game senior experience for both club and country.

Despite earning major praise and achieving some big milestones, including winning the DFB Pokal and getting called up to the German National Team, it’s still early days for the 23-year-old.

His breakthrough season over 2024/25 only took off in December last year, when he began starting (and scoring!) regularly for Stuttgart, then ended with his golden boot award at the U21 Euros in June.

Shearer is excited and expects him to be a “really clever signing”, citing Bayern’s interest and his huge potential, but suggests expectations should be managed to begin with:

“Woltemade, I think, can be a really clever signing. But it also comes with a risk because, ultimately, he’s probably had seven or eight months of good football.

“He’s not scored a lot of goals, not got great experience…. but it could turn out to be a really clever signing.

“Bayern Munich were after him, top scorer in the Euros for the U21’s. Potential, absolutely, but it’s a big, big ask for him to go in and lead the line as Newcastle’s ‘number 9’ (or number 27 for that matter!) for the next season or two.

“I’m not saying he can’t do it, but it’s a big ask.”

Wissa could help ease Woltemade pressure

Thankfully, we committed to buying more than one striker to replace the outgoing Alexander Isak, and relieve some of the goalscoring responsibilities from Woltemade.

Shearer feels that signing Yoane Wissa is a very smart move, allowing us to continue competing in both the league and cup competitions whilst also allowing Woltemade to adapt to English football.

“The goals Wissa will bring…19 last season. No penalties. And he is going to go into a team that hopefully create a little bit more.

“But it’s a big ask, the pressure that will be on Woltemade to do that. He’s only had seven or eight months of top flight, good football, so to go from where he was, he’s had a remarkable rise.

“And that will have to continue at Newcastle. But he’s potentially (going to be) very good, yeh.”

Only Mo Salah scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League than Wissa (19) last season, so as far as strike partners go, Woltemade could have the ideal partner in the proven, pacey and experienced Wissa.