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<p>Countdown to the German Supercup</p>
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<p><img alt="Bayern in talks with Chelsea for Nkunku instead of Nick Woltemade" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/nick-woltemade-or-christopher-nkunku-to-bayern-munich-1755265289-174920.png" title="Bayern in talks with Chelsea for Nkunku instead of Nick Woltemade"></p>
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<p>This Saturday, German Cup holders VfB Stuttgart will face Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich in the inaugural Franz Beckenbauer Supercup. However, the match is overshadowed by ongoing transfer rumors, notably Bayern's interest in Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade. Stuttgart has so far rejected Bayern's attempts to secure the player, who participated in the team's final training session on Friday. With Woltemade’s transfer proving elusive, Bayern has shifted focus to Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku.</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>€35.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€30.00m</p>
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<p>Centre-Forward</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Second Striker</p>
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<p>30.06.2029</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>30.06.2028</p>
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<p><span>Complete Player Comparison</span></p>
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<p>How did we reach this point? Bayern has been interested in acquiring Woltemade since March, but Stuttgart has successfully fended off their advances. A recent high-stakes meeting between Bayern's CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and Stuttgart's CEO Alexander Wehrle yielded no agreement. Bayern proposed €55m plus €5m in performance-related add-ons, while Stuttgart is demanding €70m, along with €5m in add-ons, citing the need for a fee comparable to what Bayern invested in Luis Díaz. Stuttgart's management deems the sell-on clause irrelevant, as transfers from Bayern rarely generate high fees. In response, Woltemade's agent, Danny Bachmann, criticized Stuttgart's demands in the media, indicating that Stuttgart's expectations are unrealistic.</p>
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“In March 2024 and recently in mid-June, VfB expressed a commitment to a solution-oriented approach whenever the player was ready for the next step in his career,” Bachmann remarked to DPA. “For an ambitious German international, a move to the record German champions who regularly participate in the Champions League is a significant opportunity. The solution proposed by Mr. Wehrle earlier this week, within a questionable timeframe, was addressed today with a total package exceeding €60 million plus a sell-on clause. Stuttgart's supervisory board responded with an excessive demand of €75 million for a player who originally joined on a free transfer.” As one of Germany's promising talents, Woltemade has a market value of €35m, and Stuttgart's price tag would position him as the third-most expensive signing in Bayern's history.</p>
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<h2>Is the Woltemade Deal Off? Bayern Reaches Out to Chelsea for Nkunku</h2>
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<p>Though the negotiations appeared stalled, Bayern Munich attempted to maintain dialogue with Stuttgart ahead of the Supercup. However, the talks were unproductive, and sources informed Transfermarkt that Woltemade is likely to continue with Stuttgart this season. Meanwhile, Bayern's sporting director Max Eberl has begun discussions with Chelsea regarding a deal for Christopher Nkunku. Versatile enough to play as a winger, attacking midfielder, or forward, Nkunku could fill several roles, particularly in light of Kingsley Coman’s imminent transfer to Al-Nassr and the injury to Jamal Musiala.</p>
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<div>
<p>Player Comparison</p>
<div>
<p>€35.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€30.00m</p>
</div>
<br>
<div>
<p>Centre-Forward</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Second Striker</p>
</div>
<br>
<div>
<p>30.06.2029</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>30.06.2028</p>
</div>
<br>
<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<p>On paper, Nkunku seems like an ideal acquisition, especially as Chelsea is keen to raise funds for signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. The challenge lies in Bayern's hesitance to secure Nkunku on a permanent basis, as they remain concerned about the 27-year-old’s injury history. Since sustaining a knee injury before the 2022 World Cup, Nkunku has missed an astounding 76 competitive matches for both club and country. Consequently, Bayern favors a loan arrangement. However, Chelsea's need to sell Nkunku to pursue their targets complicates matters significantly. This intricate situation is unlikely to be resolved before the inaugural Franz-Beckenbauer Supercup on Saturday.</p>
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