Woltemade was offered to Barcelona. The club had already chosen Gabriel Jesus

Barcelona were presented with one more opportunity during the final days of the transfer window. Nick Woltemade, the striker Newcastle had signed for approximately €75 million, was offered to the Catalan club. The problem was that he arrived for the audition after the role had already been filled. Barça were quietly completing a deal for Gabriel Jesus.

Talks over the German forward never advanced. Woltemade eventually joined Juventus on loan, while Barcelona paid Arsenal an initial €10 million for the Brazilian.

THE PROPOSAL ARRIVED TOO LATE

According to Mundo Deportivo, Woltemade’s name reached Barcelona during the closing days of the window. His future at Newcastle had become uncertain, prompting the Premier League club and the player’s representatives to explore opportunities that could provide regular football.

The 24-year-old had not been near the top of Barcelona’s original shortlist. He was offered when negotiations for Gabriel Jesus were already at an advanced stage.

Jesus later revealed that he had learned about Barcelona’s interest approximately one week before completing the move. Discussions were conducted without the usual public noise, and the main terms were agreed quickly. By the time Woltemade appeared as an option, the Brazilian already had one foot inside the club.

Barcelona did not begin another transfer saga. On this occasion, the deadline prevented it for them.

NEWCASTLE PAID A RECORD FEE FOR HIM

Woltemade joined Newcastle in the summer of 2025 following an excellent season with Stuttgart. The English club paid approximately £69 million, close to €75 million, making him their record signing at the time.

The German had scored 18 goals in 36 appearances for Stuttgart and helped the club win the domestic cup. He was unable to reproduce those numbers consistently in the Premier League.

Woltemade scored eight times in 34 league appearances and added one goal in ten Champions League matches. He finished his first season in England with 11 goals and six assists from 53 games across all competitions.

Newcastle had little interest in selling him at a major loss after only one year. A season-long loan to Juventus therefore became the preferred solution. The agreement runs until June 2027, giving Woltemade an opportunity to rebuild his status while Newcastle retain control over his future.

BARCELONA CHOSE THE CHEAPER OPERATION

Barcelona paid an initial €10 million to sign Gabriel Jesus. Add-ons could increase the final price to approximately €15 million. The Brazilian accepted a significant reduction in salary and signed a contract running until 30 June 2029.

The financial difference between the two players was considerable, even though Juventus only secured Woltemade on loan. Barcelona were offered a forward valued at €75 million a year earlier but had already prepared a much cheaper permanent transfer.

That does not mean the club completed an extensive comparison and deliberately selected Jesus after analysing both options. Woltemade was offered too late for serious negotiations to begin. The timeline made the decision before the scouting department needed to.

JULIÁN ÁLVAREZ REMAINED IN THE BACKGROUND

Barcelona’s search for a new striker had focused for most of the summer on Julián Álvarez. The club tried to convince the player and apply pressure to Atlético Madrid, but the Spanish capital side consistently refused to open negotiations.

Once it became clear that the operation would not move, Barcelona turned towards the available and considerably cheaper Gabriel Jesus. Woltemade’s name emerged even later, when the essential agreements with Arsenal and the Brazilian were already in place.

Barcelona therefore ended the window with two very different possibilities: a striker bought for €75 million only a year earlier and a permanent deal ready to be completed for €10 million.

Woltemade joined Juventus. Gabriel Jesus received Barcelona’s number nine shirt. The final candidate was interesting, but recruitment had already closed.