Newcastle and Chelsea unhappy with their strikers: Woltemade–Delap swap on the horizon?

Could the Premier League be in for a blockbuster swap this summer? Journalist Simon Phillips reports that Chelsea are giving serious thought to a move for 24-year-old Nick Woltemade. The Blues are said to have placed the Newcastle United attacking midfielder high on their shortlist, and his name could be central to a bigger deal between the two clubs.

Newcastle, on the other hand, are believed to be keen on Chelsea striker Liam Delap. If talks between the sides materialize, a player exchange isn’t out of the question, with Chelsea potentially exploring a swap arrangement as negotiations develop.

From a footballing perspective, a switch to Stamford Bridge might suit Woltemade. Chelsea are reportedly prepared to offer him a more consistent role through the middle—something he hasn’t been able to secure at Newcastle in recent months.

The German’s spell on Tyneside started brightly. After arriving from VfB Stuttgart last summer, he hit the ground running with four goals in his first five league appearances, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Standing close to two meters tall, he was nicknamed “Big Nick” and generated plenty of excitement early on.

However, that momentum has faded. Across 45 matches in all competitions, Woltemade has scored just ten times, with his last league goals coming back in December—ironically a brace against Chelsea. Once a regular in the starting lineup, he has since slipped into a more limited role.

A key issue has been the lack of a defined position under manager Eddie Howe. Woltemade has been used in multiple roles—ranging from a traditional striker to a false nine, even dropping into a number ten position—without truly settling into any of them. His uncertain status at Newcastle could now open the door for Chelsea to make a decisive move.