Sandro Tonali Endorses Nick Woltemade Newcastle Juventus Transfer Exit Newcastle 2026

Key Points

• Approval from Newcastle Ex-Teammate: German striker Nick Woltemade disclosed that ex-Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was in support of his transfer deal on deadline day to Italian giants Juventus.
• The Response: Tonali responded to the news before the league match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur by saying, “Class, class,” when told about his proposed transfer to Woltemade.
• Dry Loan Deal: Woltemade signed a season-long loan deal to Juventus, which was made in such a way that he is transferred on a ‘dry loan’ with no option or obligation for Juventus to sign him.
• Premier League Disappointments: The 24-year-old striker was looking for a new environment since he found himself not getting enough game time under Newcastle coach Matthias Jaissle.
• Legends Bestowing High Praise on Him: In the wake of his first appearance for Juventus FC versus AC Milan, renowned goalie Gianluigi Buffon compared Woltemade’s potential influence in the Allianz Stadium to the one wielded by Zlatan Ibrahimović.
• Impressed by Luciano Spalletti: Woltemade displayed great reverence for the coach of Juventus FC, Luciano Spalletti, who is known to have a “big aura.”

Newcastle (Newcastle Times) September 12, 2026 — In a revealing interview detailing his deadline-day transition from the Premier League to Serie A, Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade disclosed how former teammate Sandro Tonali reacted to his season-long loan transfer to Juventus.

As reported by journalist Lorenzo Bettoni of Football Italia, Woltemade explained that he informed Tonali of the ongoing negotiations just forty-eight hours before the transfer window closed, right around Newcastle’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspur. When told that a potential move to Turin was on the horizon, Tonali offered immediate encouragement, telling his fellow professional, “Class, class,” to express his endorsement of the prestigious Italian club.

Woltemade subsequently finalized a loan deal with Juventus, joining Luciano Spalletti’s squad for the 2026/27 campaign after a challenging period in the North East of England where first-team minutes had become increasingly sparse under head coach Matthias Jaissle.

What Did Sandro Tonali Say About Nick Woltemade’s Move to Juventus?

The Italian international’s reaction was short, enthusiastic, and decisive. During an extended interview broadcast on DAZN, Woltemade opened up about the private conversation he had with Tonali shortly before his departure from St James’ Park.

As documented by Lorenzo Bettoni of Football Italia, Woltemade remarked:

“My last game in England was against Tottenham, and two days later I joined Juve. I told him [Tonali] before the game that I was in talks with Juve and I could move, and he said ‘Class, class.’ We had a really good connection. Last season, there were many guys from England; all the guys not from England sat together.”

Woltemade further explained that international players within the Newcastle squad frequently shared insights about continental European football. As noted by Bettoni of Football Italia, Woltemade added that Tonali and Malick Thiaw often discussed Serie A during dressing room conversations. Tonali followed up with a text message after the contract was signed, extending his congratulations and stating, “Congrats on this big club you can play for,” which Woltemade described as a positive sign for his upcoming chapter in Italy.

Why Did Nick Woltemade Leave Newcastle United on Deadline Day?

The decision for Woltemade to depart Tyneside came after a period of tactical realignment under Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle. Having joined the Magpies from VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of £69 million, the 24-year-old forward made 53 total appearances for Newcastle, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists.

However, as reported by football correspondent Fabrizio Romano via The Beautiful Game, Woltemade saw his playing opportunities decline at the start of the 2026/27 campaign, logging just 19 minutes of Premier League football across the opening matches as Jaissle restructured his forward line around younger talent.

To secure regular starting football and maintain his place in the German national team setup, Woltemade and Newcastle agreed to a season-long loan move. Juventus secured the towering forward on loan for a fee of €2.75 million (£3.5 million), agreeing to cover his salary for the duration of the 2026/27 season, while notably omitting any option or obligation to buy.

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How Has Nick Woltemade Settled In Under Luciano Spalletti at Juventus?

Since arriving in Turin, Woltemade has quickly adapted to life in Serie A, making an immediate impact on his debut. Coming on as a second-half substitute in the 76th minute against AC Milan at the Allianz Stadium, Woltemade won a crucial late free-kick in stoppage time that directly led to Federico Gatti’s equalizer in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to DAZN, as reported by Lorenzo Bettoni of Football Italia, Woltemade expressed his admiration for Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti, stating:

“At my age, you say, ‘this guy has aura.’ He has big aura, I’d say. He looks calm, but on the pitch he’s clear about what he wants to see and how the team should play. He takes care of me; I want to improve my game. That’s why I’m here; I want to improve my game as a player. I really appreciate that he’s working with me like this.”

Why Did Gianluigi Buffon Compare Nick Woltemade to Zlatan Ibrahimović?

Following his initial displays and arrival at Juventus, legendary Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon publicly lauded Woltemade’s unique skill set, suggesting the German attacker could have a dynamic impact in Turin comparable to that of Zlatan Ibrahimović during the Swede’s early career in Serie A.

Addressing Buffon’s praise in his interview with DAZN, as transcribed by Lorenzo Bettoni of Football Italia, Woltemade responded with genuine appreciation:

“When I saw it, I was impressed, to be honest. I don’t know him [Buffon] personally, but obviously as a player. When you see these kinds of players talking about you, it’s a nice feeling. He said, in the same sentence, Ibrahimovic and Woltemade, said by Buffon… these are big names. I’m not saying I feel uncomfortable about this, but I really appreciate it. I’m happy people talk about me. Hopefully, he’s right. He’s a legend; I’m proud he put my name in his mouth.”

Woltemade acknowledged that standing at over 6ft 6in makes his playstyle unique, adding:

“Ibrahimovic was a fantastic player, with really good technique. He’s way more flexible than me for sure, but it’s nice for me to see players who are tall and can play good football. It was the best example. Hopefully I can pick up a bit of that from him.”

What Lies Ahead for Nick Woltemade in Serie A?

With Juventus aiming to challenge on both domestic and European fronts under Spalletti, Woltemade is focused on establishing a consistent scoring rhythm in Italy. Having already featured alongside Randal Kolo Muani in a two-striker formation during his debut against AC Milan, Woltemade noted that he is familiar with dual-striker systems from his previous tenure at VfB Stuttgart.

As reported by Football Italia, the German international concluded his thoughts by outlining his goal for the rest of the campaign:

“I just want to score a lot. It always comes with the flow; I want to get back into that rhythm. I had it at Newcastle too, especially at the beginning, and I want it back.”