Bayern Munich have entered the 2025 Summer transfer window with the intention of boosting their attacking lineup. They’ve shown a keen interest in VfB Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade, who has recently impressed and turned heads when on the pitch.
If he were to sign for Bayern, it would make his career in several ways. The striker would also add depth to the Bayern attack, providing selection options to head coach Vincent Kompany.
So, who is Woltemade, and what makes him so special?
The rise of Nick Woltemade from Werder Bremen
Woltemade, a product of the Werder Bremen academy, made his senior debut for the club in 2019-20. However, he only played five matches in the Bundesliga that season while being accorded one opportunity in the DFB Pokal. Being just 17 years old, he took some time to find his feet.
In the Covid-affected 2020-21 season, the young striker didn’t get many opportunities for Bremen either. He played just eight matches for them across all competitions – six in the Fußball and two in the Cup. Interestingly, he didn’t score his first goal in the Bundesliga until the 2023-24 term. By then, he had gone and returned from Elversberg in the 3. Liga on loan.
Nick Woltemade at #U21EURO 💫🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/UmslFCMf1K
— UEFA Men’s Youth (@UEFAMensYouth) July 1, 2025
However, his performances in 2023-24 were not particularly impressive, and he came back with just two goals in the 30 appearances in the league. Soon afterward, VfB Stuttgart arrived in the picture, hoping to land him on a free transfer.
Woltemade repaid the faith Stuttgart showed in him with a blistering 2024-25 season, finding the back of the net on 17 occasions and bagging three assists across all competitions. Twelve of those goals came in the Fußball, where his club finished in ninth position on the table.
He was the star of the show for Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal, leading them to victory in the tournament. This victory was Stuttgart’s first in 28 years, and the entire club was grateful to him for the role he played in the campaign. Woltemade even scored in the final against Arminia Bielefeld, which his side won 4-2.
Bayern and Stuttgart have agreed to put negotiations for Nick Woltemade on hold. After several calls between both clubs, it was agreed that as long as Bayern are in the USA for the Club World Cup, there will be no written offer. The atmosphere between FCB and VfB has improved… pic.twitter.com/GnjC3Rcmqp
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) July 4, 2025
Days after the DFB Pokal final, the youngster was handed his first senior Germany cap, making his debut in the UEFA Nations League against Portugal. He also played a part for his nation in the bronze final against France. The youngster had earned his call-up to the Germany side for the recently concluded U-21 European Championships.
Woltemade scored six goals in this competition, but failed to prevent his side from losing to England in the final by a 2-3 scoreline. He did, however, bag three assists, showcasing his prowess as an attacker who can drop deep to create chances for his teammates.
In the U-21 Euros, Woltemade impressed the most in Germany’s opening encounter against Slovenia. He bagged a hat-trick and started eliciting interest from Bayern. The Vincent Kompany-managed side are known for developing local youngsters into world-beaters. They may now propose to do the same with the forward from Bremen.
What makes Woltemade so special?
Nick Woltemade is one of the tallest strikers in Germany at 198 cm, and he makes good use of his height. Even though only one of his 12 goals in the Bundesliga last season was from a header, he often makes it difficult for defenders during free kicks and corners, helping his team take control in those moments.
His physical presence inside the box gives confidence to the rest of the players. He is strong enough to withstand challenges sent his way by rival centre-backs, who are often burly and strong themselves. At Bayern, he may be expected to make good use of his physical presence in the box.
Nick Woltemade will be the best no 9 itw in few years. pic.twitter.com/nKmInL8H2q
— Sami 🇹🇷🦇 (@SamiRmcf15) June 25, 2025
In the past, strikers didn’t need to be strong. Being light and fast was usually enough to succeed. But today, football expects attackers to be more powerful so they can handle physical challenges and stay on their feet during tough moments. Erling Haaland from Manchester City is a great example of this modern type of striker.
At Bayern, Harry Kane shows how strong a striker needs to be in today’s game. If Woltemade joins the team, he’ll have the chance to learn from one of the best. He’ll not only improve his skills and understanding of the game, but also get better at working hard and staying focused.
In the 2024–25 season, Woltemade had strong attacking stats. His expected goals (xG) was 10.36, and his expected goals on target (xGOT) was 12.90 — meaning he took good-quality shots that tested goalkeepers. His expected assists (xA) was 3.44, mostly because he only made two actual assists in the league. What stands out most is his ability to take shots confidently — he had 49 shots in total, and 26 of them were on target. That shows he’s good at aiming and creating chances to score.
Woltemade’s possession skills are also good, evident by his total of 905 touches in the league last season, out of which 176 came in the opposition’s box. It’s the latter fact that Bayern will be interested in.
There is only one way Woltemade’s career will go if he joins Bayern – up. This may be the right time for him to join a serial-winning club. He can aim for titles and challenge for trophies that have passed him by during his time at Stuttgart. Most importantly, he will grow as a player in his own right at the Allianz Arena.
