Nick Woltemade to Bayern Munich: Stuttgart’s Unconventional Striker Turning Heads
Nick Woltemade has emerged as one of the most intriguing figures in German football. The 23-year-old VfB Stuttgart forward is not your typical striker. Standing at 1.98 meters, he combines physical presence with surprising technical finesse, drawing comparisons to a “tall Messi” for his ability to glide past defenders and control the game in tight spaces. His breakout 2024–25 Bundesliga season—scoring 17 goals—and a Golden Boot-winning performance at the UEFA U21 Championship have placed him firmly on Bayern Munich’s radar.
Woltemade’s playing style defies traditional molds. While his towering frame suggests a classic target man, he thrives when dropping deep, linking play, and making intelligent runs into space. He’s completed more dribbles than most strikers in the Bundesliga, and his versatility allows him to operate as a false nine or attacking midfielder. This rare profile has captured the imagination of Bayern Munich’s recruitment team, especially as they look to the future beyond Thomas Müller and consider injury contingencies around Jamal Musiala.
Bayern’s pursuit, however, has been anything but straightforward. The Bavarians have made multiple offers—reportedly reaching €60 million with add-ons—but Stuttgart has stood firm, rejecting all bids and valuing Woltemade at €75 million minimum. With the player seen as central to Stuttgart’s ambitions, the club has no urgency to sell. Despite Bayern’s interest, negotiations have paused, at least until the end of the summer transfer window or the Club World Cup.
Former players like Claudio Pizarro have publicly endorsed Woltemade’s potential fit at Bayern, praising his blend of size, skill, and vision. Internally, however, Bayern has begun exploring alternative targets like Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, suggesting a shift in focus due to Stuttgart’s unwillingness to budge.
Woltemade’s rise has also earned him a place in the senior German national team, confirming his status as one of the country’s brightest prospects. For now, he remains a key figure in Stuttgart’s lineup. But with Bayern’s need for attacking depth and long-term planning intensifying, it wouldn’t be surprising if they return with a final push before the window closes.
Whether he makes the jump this season or not, Nick Woltemade has firmly established himself as a striker built for the modern game—and possibly, Bayern’s next great gamble.
