Rio Ferdinand shares what Bastian Schweinsteiger told him about Nick Woltemade after he joined Newcastle

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Since his arrival from Stuttgart, new Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade has scored two goals in five games, including last weekend’s header against Arsenal.

In an ideal world, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe might have preferred to ease Nick Woltemade into life in the Premier League.

However, owing to Yoane Wissa’s injury, Woltemade was needed to start immediately.

William Osula is also on hand to help Howe, but Newcastle seemingly don’t quite trust the 22-year-old to be their starting number nine.

And whilst Newcastle fans were impressed with Woltemade’s link-up play against Arsenal, it remains to be seen if the Germany international will be a long-term hit on Tyneside. 

Bastian Schweinsteiger thinks Newcastle spent too much on Nick Woltemade

That being said, Rio Ferdinand has now shared what Germany legend Bastian Schweinsteiger told him about Woltemade after he signed for Newcastle.

Speaking on ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, Ferdinand revealed that Schweinsteiger felt as if Newcastle massively overspent on the former Bundesliga striker.

Earlier in the summer, Bayern Munich were interested in signing Woltemade, but they weren’t prepared to pay the sum that Newcastle eventually parted with.

Bayern’s president criticised Newcastle’s Woltemade move, and when speaking to Ferdinand, Schweinsteiger had a similar tone.

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Ferdinand shared: “I’m interested to see how he does, because I think it was a big surprise in Germany. 

“I was with Bastian Schweinsteiger in South Korea, and I was asking him about him, and he said, listen, there’s no way a German team would have paid that money.

“No way I’d go as far as to say he might not even be worth that right now. You’re obviously buying potential.

“But when you’re desperate as a club, the selling club can hike the price, and the Premier League have a different rate to what a German team would have.”

Yoane Wissa’s injury return date is still unclear

As mentioned, things will be a lot easier for Newcastle once Wissa is back fit and ready to make his St James’ Park debut.

However, it is currently unclear when that will be following the striker’s injury whilst away with DR Congo.

Newcastle sources seem conflicted or even just unsure on when Wissa will first be available for Howe.

Of course, Howe’s side parted with around £55m for the 29-year-old, who will have little in the way of resale value in the future.

And therefore, Newcastle will be keen to get the former Brentford man fit and firing as soon as possible.

Woltemade hasn’t been poor by any means in a Newcastle shirt, but he clearly still needs to fully adapt to Howe’s plans.

And although many feel as if Newcastle overspent on both Woltemade and Wissa, the pair could be integral to any success Howe’s side enjoy this campaign.