Newcastle United’s 2024 summer transfer window was dominated by one major task: finding a replacement for Alexander Isak.
The Swedish forward’s highly anticipated transfer to Liverpool left a major void in Eddie Howe’s attacking lineup, prompting an exhaustive search for a new striker. The club explored options such as Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, João Pedro, and Benjamin Šeško but all were ultimately unattainable.
Newcastle’s long-standing pursuit of Wolves’ Jørgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa also appeared to hit a wall, with both clubs initially refusing to negotiate. However, in a dramatic twist late in the window, the Magpies completed two major signings.
They broke their transfer record by bringing in Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69 million and secured Wissa in a £55 million deal, after the player personally pushed for the move by traveling overnight to finalize it. These signings may come to define Newcastle’s transfer window.
Alongside the arrivals of Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale, and Anthony Elanga, Newcastle have reinforced across the pitch. Still, all eyes will be on whether the new attacking duo can fill the void left by Isak.
Interestingly, a former Newcastle player sold under Mike Ashley’s ownership ended up outperforming both Wissa and Woltemade during the 2024/25 season, raising questions about the club’s long-term transfer strategy.
What Wissa and Woltemade Will Offer Newcastle United
At just 23 years old and standing at an imposing 1.98m, Nick Woltemade is viewed as a long-term investment for Newcastle United.
The German forward joins from Stuttgart after a standout season in the Bundesliga, where he scored 12 goals in 28 matches and earned three senior international caps. His performances at the U21 European Championships showcased his all-around ability dominant in the air, technically sound, and effective both in linking play and finishing.
In contrast, Yoane Wissa brings proven experience in English football. The former Brentford striker netted 19 goals and provided five assists across 35 Premier League appearances last season, quietly establishing himself as one of the league’s most underrated attackers.
Over his Premier League career, Wissa has tallied 45 goals in 137 matches offering Newcastle the kind of reliable output they’ve been seeking.
Statistically, the two forwards bring different qualities. According to FBref data, Woltemade had a higher shot accuracy last season (50%) compared to Wissa (45.6%), though Wissa contributed more directly to goals, with 23 goal involvements versus Woltemade’s 14.
Wissa is more aggressive in pressing, averaging more tackles per 90 minutes, while Woltemade shines in chance creation, generating 4.38 shot-creating actions per 90, nearly double Wissa’s 2.13. Together, they are expected to help fill the void left by Alexander Isak’s departure.
Wissa is likely to be thrust into action immediately, especially with Anthony Gordon currently suspended. Woltemade, however, may be eased into Premier League football as he adjusts to the new league.
One potential concern is Wissa’s expected absence during the early months of 2026 due to the Africa Cup of Nations, which could place added pressure on Woltemade to step up.
Former Newcastle Striker Outshining Wissa and Woltemade
As Newcastle rebuild their attack post-Isak, one former player from the Mike Ashley era is thriving away from the spotlight.
Ayoze Pérez, signed from Tenerife for just £1.5 million in 2014, made 195 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 48 goals and providing 17 assists. During the turbulent 2015/16 relegation season, he was a rare positive, and later played a pivotal role under Rafa BenÃtez both in Newcastle’s promotion from the Championship and their Premier League consolidation.
Even club legend Alan Shearer took notice, praising Pérez’s impact in his debut season, where he netted seven league goals.
Pérez left St James’ Park in 2019 for Leicester City in a £30 million deal and eventually moved to Real Betis in 2022. But it’s his 2024 transfer to Villarreal that has sparked a career resurgence.
In the 2024/25 season, he scored 19 goals and added two assists in 30 La Liga appearances, earning a surprise call-up to the Spanish national team making his debut in a 5–0 win over Andorra.
Across all competitions, Pérez ended the campaign with 22 goals, outperforming both Newcastle’s high-profile summer signings: Yoane Wissa (20) and Nick Woltemade (17).
The stats back it up:
- He averaged 3.33 progressive passes and 3.26 shot-creating actions per 90, both higher than Wissa and Woltemade.
- He also posted more progressive carries per 90 (2.69) and contributed defensively with 1.23 tackles per 90.
2024/25 Season Comparison
| Player | Matches | Goals | Assists | Progressive Carries | Progressive Passes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pérez | 30 | 19 | 2 | 59 | 73 |
| Wissa | 35 | 19 | 4 | 60 | 67 |
| Woltemade | 28 | 12 | 2 | 31 | 52 |
(Source: FBref)
Pérez’s revival echoes Joselu’s late-career resurgence in Spain, showing that Newcastle was just a chapter—not the final word for both players.
For Newcastle, the real test now is whether Wissa and Woltemade can not only replace Isak but also build legacies of their own ones that can eventually stand alongside those of the club’s former frontmen.
