Barcelona ‘rejected’ Nick Woltemade offer, focused on Gabriel Jesus | OneFootball

Barcelona turned down the chance to sign Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade late in the window, prioritising Gabriel Jesus instead, Mundo Deportivo reports.

Woltemade was offered as his Tyneside future looked uncertain amid Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund interest. Barcelona dismissed it, having already committed to Jesus.

The Brazilian arrived from Arsenal for an initial €10 million (£8.4m) fee, with a further €4m (£3.4m) in potential add-ons. He had known of Barcelona's interest for a week and talks accelerated privately, allowing a swift, low-key conclusion.

By the time Woltemade surfaced as an option, Jesus was essentially through the door at Camp Nou, so the German was never a priority.

Woltemade's push to leave followed a bruising Premier League spell after a £70m move from Stuttgart last year. He scored nine in his first three months, then his form crashed in 2026 under Eddie Howe and, later, Matthias Jaissle.

He struggled in Howe's 4-3-3 as a lone striker or makeshift number 10, then slipped behind Yoane Wissa, Joe Willock and Will Osula under Jaissle. The 24-year-old has joined Juventus on loan until June 2027 with no buy option, and Luciano Spalletti plans to use his physical hold-up play.

Source: Goal.com

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