Borussia Dortmund's Ricken dismisses Nick Woltemade loan links
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken has dismissed speculation linking the club with a move for Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade. In an interview with Sport Bild, Ricken was quick to shut down a report that the Bundesliga club was considering a loan move for the 22-year-old German striker.
"That's the first I've heard of it. No truth to it," Ricken said when asked about a potential one-year loan for the 22-year-old forward. The speculation, which originated in a report by Bild, suggested Woltemade could be a replacement for Serhou Guirassy should the striker leave this summer.
Ricken firmly dismissed the link and instead emphasized the club's satisfaction with their current attacking options. He stated that Borussia Dortmund are "excellently positioned" in attack with Guirassy and Fábio Silva, the Portuguese striker on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ricken's comments were reported by German outlet Sport Bild.
Ricken also addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Guirassy's future. The Guinean striker, who joined from Stade Rennais, has a reported release clause of around €35 million, which is active for a select group of clubs this summer. Despite the persistent rumors, Ricken expressed confidence that the 28-year-old will remain at the Westfalenstadion. "We hear every transfer window that he might leave – and he's still here," Ricken noted, adding that it is the wish of the club, head coach Niko Kovac, and sporting director Ole Book for Guirassy to stay.
Ricken highlighted Guirassy's comfort at the club as a key factor. "He feels extremely comfortable at the club, and there is no intention to let him go," the sporting director stated, aiming to quell any uncertainty about the striker's immediate future. The club's stance is that they are not actively seeking a replacement, directly contradicting the links to Woltemade.
Nick Woltemade, a 22-year-old German forward, has been at Newcastle United since 2022 but has spent the last two seasons on loan in the 2. Bundesliga, first with FC St. Pauli and last season with 1. FC Nürnberg. His future at St. James' Park appears uncertain, but a move to Borussia Dortmund, as per Ricken's comments, is not on the cards. For Dortmund, the immediate focus remains on retaining their key attacking assets as they prepare for the upcoming season.
