Woltemade started his career with Werder Bremen, coming through their youth teams, but had only scored two goals in 51 games.

He spent the 2022-23 season on loan in the third tier with Elversberg.

But the striker rejected the offer of a new Bremen contract last summer before a free-transfer move to Stuttgart.

His time there started slowly – and he was not named in their Champions League squad – but he has become a prolific goalscorer.

He has bagged 17 goals in 33 games (22 starts) for the Bundesliga side – including in each of his past four matches.

Woltemade was named newcomer of the season by the VDV, the German professional footballers’ union, despite having already played 41 Bundesliga games for Bremen.

That form has seen him most strongly linked to Chelsea – but also to Arsenal, Liverpool, Everton, Brighton and West Ham – and some of the continent’s top clubs too.