As Everton plot a summer rebuild under David Moyes, one name has remained high on the club’s list of targets, Nick Woltemade. But despite weeks of scouting and initial contact, luring the striker from Stuttgart is proving elusive. According to TEAMtalk, the reasons are now clear.

“However, Woltemade is under contract until 2028 and his deal does not contain a release clause. Sources also state that Woltemade feels comfortable with Stuttgart and has no immediate desire to leave.”

After a season in which he registered 17 goals in 33 appearances, helping Stuttgart lift the DFB-Pokal, the 23-year-old’s stock has risen considerably. His inclusion in the Germany national team underlines the form he’s carried throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

It’s understood that Everton made their move early, contacting both Stuttgart and the player’s representatives three months ago. Their intent was clear, and it’s no surprise. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin likely to depart on a free transfer, Moyes and his recruitment team have been searching Europe for a new focal point.

Everton, it seems, weren’t alone. As TEAMtalk adds, “Roma are also interested in Woltemade – so the interest in the forward could be considered ‘group-wide’, between the Toffees and the Giallorossi.” That both clubs fall under the Friedkin Group umbrella only adds to the intrigue.

Still, Stuttgart remain calm. TEAMtalk reports that “Stuttgart are very confident of retaining Woltemade”, largely because of the player’s ambition to remain settled ahead of the 2026 World Cup. It appears there’s no compelling reason, in his eyes, to move.

Everton’s recruitment drive hasn’t lost momentum. The club are working hard behind the scenes, with Villarreal’s Thierno Barry and Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson now moving further up the priority list.

Barry, a powerful 22-year-old forward, scored 19 goals in 41 games across all competitions last term and has a €40m (£33.9m) release clause — a figure Everton reportedly view as acceptable. Gudmundsson, meanwhile, offers something different: versatility. He can operate as a No.9, second striker or even as a playmaker in the No.10 role — a quality Moyes has historically valued.

Everton’s financial room to manoeuvre will improve significantly in July when high-earning contracts, including those of Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Michael Keane, are set to expire. That flexibility will give the club a better hand as they begin making decisive moves.

This window is shaping up to be one of Everton’s most important in decades. The Friedkin Group are prepared to invest, and Moyes is determined to reshape the team in his image. While the Woltemade pursuit appears to have cooled, it is far from the only thread Everton are following.

They may have missed out on one target, but in identifying Barry and Gudmundsson early, they have shown the kind of strategic thinking that has often been lacking in recent windows. The key now is execution, and ensuring that, come August, Everton have a forward line capable of pushing the club forward.

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For Everton supporters, the latest on Nick Woltemade feels like another reminder of how tough the market can be. We’ve been here before, keen on a player, the scouting’s done, initial talks held, only to see him stay put. But honestly, can we blame him?

He’s just helped Stuttgart to a domestic trophy, broken into the Germany squad, and has a long-term deal without a release clause. From his side, there’s zero pressure to move. And with the World Cup in 2026 on the horizon, it’s easy to see why he’d prefer familiarity over disruption.

That said, fans should feel reassured that the club isn’t standing still. Thierno Barry is an exciting talent. He’s quick, strong, scores goals and already has European pedigree. And Albert Gudmundsson offers exactly the sort of tactical flexibility Moyes loves.

The fact that we’ve already scouted multiple forwards and are preparing to act once contracts clear the books shows forward planning, something we’ve been crying out for. It’s a blow to miss out on Woltemade, but the window’s far from over. Keep the faith.