The anticipated transfer of VfB Stuttgart forward Nic Woltemade to Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich has reportedly stalled, hitting a snag over valuation.
According to multiple reports originating from Germany, Bayern Munich lodged an offer worth a substantial €40 million, complemented by an additional €5 million in performance-related bonuses, bringing the potential total package to €45 million for the 23-year-old German striker.
However, Stuttgart`s response to this proposal was clear and uncompromising. The Swabian club`s management has evidently communicated that they are unwilling to sanction Woltemade`s departure for anything less than a figure north of €80 million. This valuation represents a significant disparity, nearly doubling Bayern`s initial offer and highlighting a firm negotiating position from Stuttgart.
This robust asking price from Stuttgart follows a productive season for Woltemade. In the recent campaign, he made 33 appearances across various competitions, demonstrating his offensive capabilities by netting 17 goals and providing 3 assists. These statistics underline his importance to Stuttgart`s attacking setup.
Adding another layer to this valuation debate is the player`s estimated market worth. The widely recognized football valuation portal, Transfermarkt, currently places Woltemade`s value at €30 million. The gulf between this market estimation, Bayern`s offer, and Stuttgart`s demand provides a fascinating glimpse into how clubs, particularly those retaining valuable assets after successful seasons, are increasingly setting their own market rates, sometimes with a healthy dose of optimism (or perhaps just shrewd business acumen).
Stuttgart`s high demand suggests they either see Woltemade as irreplaceable for their future ambitions or believe his market value is set for a rapid ascent, justifying a premium sale. For Bayern, traditionally accustomed to acquiring top Bundesliga talent, this rejection signals that even their significant resources have limits when faced with a selling club determined to maximize value or simply retain a key player.
As it stands, the proposed transfer is off based on the current figures. Woltemade remains a Stuttgart player, leaving Bayern to potentially reconsider their strategy – whether that involves a significantly increased bid or pivoting to alternative targets in the transfer market.
