Why Nick Woltemade is nowhere near ready to replace Harry Kane at Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane and Nick Woltemade battle for the ball
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane and Nick Woltemade battle for the ballČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Markus Ulmer

If there's one player that can be relied upon for goals wherever he goes, it's England captain Harry Kane.

Most international goals for his country, most goals for Tottenham in their history, surpassing the great Jimmy Greaves in the process, scoring for fun in the Bundesliga and Champions League with Bayern Munich.... It's no wonder that the 32-year-old remains in huge demand as a potential hire.

With FC Barcelona's presidential elections upcoming within a month or so, the 'promises' from certain candidates have already begun, and Kane is the name that's been mentioned more than once.

Harry Kane's xG for Bayern Munich - Bundesliga 2025/26
Harry Kane's xG for Bayern Munich - Bundesliga 2025/26Opta by Stats Perform

Well-worn technique for Barcelona presidential elections

Who can forget when Joan Laporta announced he wanted to bring David Beckham to Camp Nou back in 2003, only for Becks to move to Madrid and Barca to land Ronaldinho.

Or in 2015, when a hint from Josep Maria Bartomeu suggested the Catalans would be signing Atletico Madrid's Arda Turan, which helped get his presidency over the line.

It's a well-worn technique from those attempting a power play to get them into pole position for an election victory, but what's interesting, of course, is that no one appears to have taken Harry Kane's own opinion into account.

In fact, it appears that he doesn't have one at this point because he has routinely failed to pass comment on his contractual situation, preferring to simply get on with enjoying his football.

Bayern are confident he will extend his current deal rather than leave, supervisory board member Uli Hoeness recently said: “Harry is a stroke of luck for us. Because his release clause for the summer of 2026 has now expired and his contract runs until summer 2027, we are currently under no pressure (to sell).”

Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus also added: “Money isn't his top priority; it's feeling comfortable – with the coaches, his teammates, and his family.

“He's settled in well with his children, and bringing his family along is a huge step. I have the feeling that money isn't what matters to him, and I'm convinced that Harry Kane will extend his contract with FC Bayern.”

In football, you can never say never, of course, and somewhat surprisingly, Kane could have a ready-made replacement, which would help smooth the waters of any transfer.

Woltemade unhappy at Newcastle

According to reports in Germany, Nick Woltemade is very unhappy with life at Newcastle.

It isn't abundantly clear if it's more a homesickness issue or one of the player perhaps realising that he picked the wrong club for his own ambitions.

Certainly, he hasn't really prospered as much as Eddie Howe would've liked, having bought him to replace Alexander Isak, although he has still managed a respectable 10 goals and three assists in 38 games in all competitions, 26 of which he's started in.

A 74.6% pass accuracy in the Premier League alone isn't something to be sniffed at either, and perhaps there's a reasonable argument as to the Magpies not necessarily playing to his strengths in the way that Bayern would.

Notwithstanding that, with the greatest respect, Nick Woltemade is still no Harry Kane.

Agents making mischief?

With the Englishman still making everything look so easy in front of goal, if the suggestion of a move to Bavaria for Woltemade is nothing more than agents trying to bump up their client's salary with a bit of mischief-making, that's certainly misguided at best.

Kane recently reached 500 career goals and became the first Englishman to do so with his brace against Werder Bremen. He still has the single-season Bundesliga record of 41 goals, held by Robert Lewandowski, to aim for and he isn't too far off from becoming the all-time record appearance holder for the Three Lions either.

Peter Shilton currently has the record of 125 caps, with Kane just 13 behind, and this, along with the various other records within his grasp, not to mention the stability that Bayern have offered, are all likely to be more in the forefront of his mind than a summer move elsewhere.

Drastic improvements needed from Woltemade

Woltemade may well come good in due course and, ultimately, might prove to be the right man to take the shirt from the Englishman, though surely one must expect to see more from him than barely three-quarters of a season's work?

Realistically, until either Barcelona makes a confirmed play for Kane or the player himself doesn't appear to immediately rebuff any advances from the Catalan giants, there's nothing for the Bavarians to concern themselves with.

Nick Woltemade radar graphic - Premier League 2025/26
Nick Woltemade radar graphic - Premier League 2025/26Opta by Stats Perform

In the meantime, Woltemade should bide his time at St. James' Park and concentrate on improving his numbers in all areas.

Numbers that include losing 70 aerial battles from 118 attempted in all competitions. For a 6ft 6in striker, that's incredibly embarrassing.

Jason Pettigrove
Jason PettigroveFlashscore

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