Chelsea open talks to sign 'Two-metre Messi'

Tom Weber

Updated: 13 Jun 2025 09:36 CDT
5 min read

Chelsea have opened talks to sign Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, according to a report.

The Blues are looking to add another centre-forward to Enzo Maresca's side despite already bringing in Liam Delap for €35 million. Chelsea insist that they trust Nicolas Jackson, but their actions suggest that they are determined to upgrade on him.

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Chelsea have been locked in difficult negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike in recent weeks. The Stamford Bridge club are determined to sign the Frenchman, but their German counterparts will not budge from their whopping - and frankly inflated - €100 million valuation.

Current ETV

Nick Woltemade

F (C)

VfB Stuttgart

Nick Woltemade

F (C)

VfB Stuttgart

ETV Range

€16.4M - €20.1M

Frankfurt are under no pressure to sell, and despite Ekitike's desire to leave the club and a general expectation that he will depart, it is difficult to imagine that the player would down tools to force through a transfer given that the Eagles will play Champions League football next season.

With Liverpool and now Man Utd also in the race to sign Ekitike, Chelsea are looking at alternative options, and they may have found an intriguing solution elsewhere in the Bundesliga.

Chelsea open Woltemade talks

According to BILD reporter Christian Falk, Chelsea have now opened talks with Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, who is one of the most unique and exciting forward prospects in Europe.

Despite being named the Player of the Season of the German third division while out on loan in 2022/23, Woltemade was not given a real chance by boyhood club Werder Bremen the following season and ultimately felt compelled to leave the club in the summer of 2024.

He joined Stuttgart and was an instant hit both on the pitch and with the fans. His bright, honest personality and somewhat awkward stature made him a cult hero immediately.

Due to being excellent with the ball at his feet while standing at 6ft 6in, he has been nicknamed 'Two-metre Messi' and 'Woltemessi.' He scored 17 goals in the bygone season and continued his form against Slovenia for Germany's U21 at the Euros on Thursday by netting a hat-trick.

After the match against Slovenia, he was asked about the supposed interest from Chelsea. “I think that’s part of it. It wouldn’t be optimal scouting if a club didn’t have me on their radar right now," he said before insisting: "I’m not thinking about my future right now.”

Meanwhile, Falk has told CaughtOffside: “Chelsea FC have submitted enquiries to Nick Woltemade’s management team. There have been talks. The Londoners have been monitoring the striker for some time.

"Chelsea enquired about the contract until 2028 and were informed that there is no clause for an early transfer. Atletico Madrid are also interested in the striker.”

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