GOAL reported that Lothar Matthäus said Nick Woltemade may need to return to Germany after struggling while on loan at Juventus. Juventus lost 3-0 to Lazio, and GOAL reported that there is discussion in Italy about replacing coach Luciano Spalletti after the defeat.
Matthäus comments on Woltemade
At an event held by his partner Interwetten, Matthäus said: "His situation is similar to Niclas Füllkrug's. He went to England; it didn't work out. Then to Italy; that didn't work out either, and then? Does he go back to Germany?"
Matthäus also said: "I don't know whether anyone would pay €60 million for him now."
Woltemade's Juventus spell
Woltemade is on loan at Juventus. Under coach Luciano Spalletti at Juventus, Woltemade has made five substitute appearances and scored no goals in Serie A.
In the recent 3-0 defeat to Lazio, Woltemade missed another clear chance, according to GOAL.
Price and wage issues
GOAL reported that Newcastle United had considered Woltemade worth €75 million in the summer of 2025. GOAL reported that Woltemade's previous club, VfB Stuttgart, relented at that figure after earlier rejecting several offers from Bayern Munich.
GOAL reported that Woltemade's Premier League wages would make even another loan difficult.
Matthäus said: "The question is whether a German club can still afford him. If a Bundesliga club has a great need, they might make an enquiry. But one thing is clear: Woltemade will then have to lower his wage demands."
What Matthäus said about Füllkrug
Matthäus said: "For Füllkrug, giving up money was worth it. He is smiling again in Bremen. It shows that money must not be the most important thing. He is happy again now. He has never felt as much love and affection anywhere else as he has in Bremen."