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Bayern Munich have finally found a new forward, and it may not be good news for Harry Kane. After missing out on Florian Wirtz and Nico Williams and losing Leroy Sane for free, Bayern have done the tried and tested and agreed a deal for one of the Bundesliga’s best up and coming talents. Sky Germany report that the champions have reached a deal with Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade after a campaign where he became one of Europe’s most entertaining forwards. The 23-year-old began the season simply nicknamed ‘Big Nick’ due to his 6ft 6in frame, but ended it called the ‘Two Metre Messi’ after thrilling fans across Germany. In 2023/24 he broke through at Werder Bremen, but only scored two goals in 30 games, and they both came in the same match. However, everyone was already fascinated by the lanky frontman, not just for his massive height and build, but the way he could uniquely combine it with an extraordinary touch and dribbling technique usually only reserved for diminutive attackers like Lionel Messi. Stuttgart saw enough to bring him to a Champions League team, and were rewarded with 17 goals and ten star reviews. "It's simply fun to watch him, ” said Germany legend and national team director Rudi Voller. “Not only has he already scored four goals, but you can also always pass to him, which is what makes him so valuable.   “He holds the ball, and if he loses it, it's usually a foul against him. ” Even Woltemade’s rivals have praised him, including Mainz’s Paul Nebel who said after a match up: "Nick is, of course, an exceptional player. I think players that tall don't usually have such good technique. ” The county’s leading outlet, Der Spiegel also joined in on the hype, releasing a feature on the rising frontman, entitled: “The lanky guy who moves like a ballerina. ” Such praise means that Woltemade himself had to comment, and kept things real. "I've often received feedback that I'm fun to watch, ” he said. “I want to be an entertainer on the pitch because nobody plays like me. " Already loved by his teammates and quickly becoming a household name, Woltemade went viral for a podcast interview with Copa during the season which saw a laid back and honest youngster earn even more fans. Usually wearing daring fashion choices, he showed a personal touch by admitting: "In Bremen, I had to listen to a lot of criticism for it, ” but also enthused about his love of the game. "I know every player from the first to the third division, " he said. "I love football more than anything. I'm relaxed and take it all in stride. " Sky reviewed the striker’s performances on and off the pitch by saying: “Nick Woltemade has it, that rare blend of authenticity, entertainment value, intelligence, talent, and creativity. The only thing left to say is: ‘How likeable do you want to be? ’” All of this happened as he continued to find the net, rising up as Stuttgart’s first name on the teamsheet having unexpectedly displaced far more expensive forward options Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic. Finishing the campaign with four-straight goals, his last came in the finale during a DFB Pokal win over Arminia Bielefeld which earned Stuttgart their first trophy since 2007. That saw him rewarded with a call-up to Julian Nagelsmann’s senior Germany squad and he started in both June matches, clearly paving the way for a potential starring role at the 2026 World Cup. With such a rapid ascent, Woltemade could be forgiven for wanting a holiday after his breakthrough season, but the football lover was more than happy to accept a return to Germany’s U21s. There he’s been the top scorer and player of the tournament with six goals and three assists in four games ahead of facing England in the final. Should he keep up that form and down the young Lions, it won’t be the only blow to England he makes this summer. Despite being happy to play as a number ten playmaker or even an attacking midfielder, his impending signing for Bayern could spell trouble for England captain Kane. Unlike previous targets Wirtz and Williams, Woltemade is destined to end up through the middle, which may end Kane’s stint in Bavaria earlier than expected with rumblings over his future already happening. That may sound crazy given the 31-year-old's remarkable scoring, but Bayern have always been about platforming the best German talent. They have even more reason to do so with this one as Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness best summed it up: “When Nick Woltemade plays, a spectacle is guaranteed. ” © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

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