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Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade has admitted that replacing Liverpool forward Alexander Isak in the North East has come with big pressure after a big-money move this summer.
Isak forced his way out of St James' Park with Newcastle attempting to replace him with several players before eventually landing on a $87 million (£66 million) deal for Woltemade, who has made a strong start in the Premier League, where he has scored four goals in eight appearances.
"A huge relief," Woltemade, who scored twice for Germany against Luxembourg this week, told BILD. "The whole Newcastle package had potential for tension, especially since I arrived on the last day.
"Then there was the transfer fee. The expectations placed on me, because Newcastle's top striker, Alexander Isak, had left.
"The start to the season wasn’t ideal. There was definitely pressure. I was very glad when it subsided.
"I quickly realized in Newcastle that it was a good fit not only on a footballing level, but also on a personal one."
With $169 million (£125 million) set to come in for Isak, Newcastle had cash to burn on Woltemade. Late in the summer, it pulled the trigger on signing the forward from Stuttgart.
"I was confronted with it frequently," he said. "But I didn’t choose this situation. I’m the least responsible for the sums involved.
"Nevertheless, I was happy that Newcastle saw enough potential in me to pay that amount.
“For me personally, it makes no difference whether I go from Werder Bremen to Stuttgart on a free transfer or from Stuttgart to Newcastle for €75 million, even though I know that the fee means a few more pairs of eyes are on me.
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"Although, in England, the issue of transfer fees is viewed much more calmly than in Germany. Within the team, the transfer fee isn’t a factor at all."
Liverpool has already played Newcastle once this season, winning late on thanks to Rio Ngumoha's goal. Neither Woltemade nor Isak featured in that fixture as it took place a few days before their moves. The sides will meet at Anfield in January.
Liverpool.com says: Both Isak and Woltemade should be good for their new clubs. The former is still working his way up to full sharpness, but we know that he can be a top Premier League player. Woltemade is still adjusting to English soccer, but he too looks like a big talent.
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