Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness hopes that the club can sign Germany forward Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart, even if they have to wait another year.
“I consider him a very, very good player who would be a great fit for us,” Hoeness told reporters in Munich. “I would welcome it a lot if it happens this year. And if not, then next year.”
Hoeness added that Bayern are not under time pressure because the transfer window remains open until the end of August.
Woltemade, 23, had a strong season and helped Stuttgart win the German Cup. He earned his first Germany caps in early June at the Nations League finals and then helped the U21 team reach the European Championship final as tournament top scorer with six goals.
Stuttgart want to keep Woltemade who has a contract until 2028, or only let him go for a huge fee, with some reports speaking of up to 100 million ($118 million). Woltemade reportedly has a verbal agreement with Bayern.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen did not want to further fuel the speculation while at the Club World Cup in the United States where Bayern were set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals later Saturday.
“Nick Woltemade is a VfB Stuttgart player. And therefore it is not appropriate to fuel any discussions or make any comments,” Dreesen told reporters in Atlanta.