Woltemade transfer sets new Stuttgart record, leaves Premier League-bound gap

The forward had been heavily linked with Bayern Munich, long considered a likely next step for the former Stuttgart player, but ultimately he chose to move to the Premier League, where he will take on the role left vacant by Aleksander Isak at St. James' Park.

The €85 million fee dwarfs the previous record set by Benjamin Pavard's transfer to Bayern in the 2019/20 season for €35 million, almost 2.5 times higher.

Other historic Stuttgart sales, including Mario Gomez's move to Bayern in 2009/10 for €30 million and Enzo Millot's transfer to Al-Ahli for €23.5 million, now pale in comparison.

While the transfer provides Stuttgart with a historic financial windfall, it leaves a significant gap on the pitch. The challenge is compounded by a recent injury to key forward Deniz Undav, who is expected to be out for one to two months.

With Woltemade gone, Ermedin Demirovic will shoulder the primary goal-scoring responsibility as the club adjust to life without their star forward.