Newcastle United manager Jaissle says he expects Walter Martens to flourish at Juventus after the forward completed a loan move on transfer deadline day.
Martens is set to make his Juventus debut against AC Milan on Sunday evening, having left Newcastle after deciding that a temporary move would give him the playing time his ability warrants. Jaissle said he would watch the match and maintained that the player remained part of Newcastle’s plans despite moving to another club.
The German coach said his final discussions with Martens had been open and respectful before the move was approved. He also rejected the suggestion that the decision was primarily intended to create space for Newcastle’s other new signings.
“I admire Nick as a player, very, very much, not only for his on-field ability but also for his qualities as a person and off the field. We always had frank conversations, and he decided to accept a new challenge. I hope he performs well at another top club, and we will be watching him closely. I am looking forward to his performance and am optimistic that he will shine there. He will score many goals, but he is still our player, and we will stay in close contact.”
Martens’ departure came at the same time as Newcastle brought in Fernandez-Pardo from Lille for approximately £51 million. However, Jaissle stressed that the loan decision was based on the player’s tactical role during the first half of the season, rather than being a direct consequence of the new arrival.
Martens had previously said that his move was driven by the way he plays and the opportunities available to him, rather than by any restrictions surrounding transfers.
Asked whether the deal was designed to accommodate further recruitment, Jaissle said Newcastle were not turning into a club defined by the transfer market. He argued that the club’s recruitment policy remained closely connected to its preferred style of football and its wider long-term planning.
“I cannot say this is a sign of the club becoming a ‘transfer club’. We have a clear philosophy on how to play and how to recruit young, talented players who perfectly fit our tactical style. We want to maintain tactical consistency, which makes me feel secure about the future because it is the basis for a clear direction, not only on the field, but all departments need to improve. This is special, and it is one of the reasons I signed.”
Jaissle described the decision to allow Martens to leave as difficult, while insisting that the move could benefit the player’s development. He said Martens had significant potential and deserved the chance to establish himself in a setting that suited both his qualities and Juventus’ requirements.
“This was a difficult decision. I really appreciate this player; he has huge potential. But he decided to take the next step and get the playing time that his ability deserves. I hope he finds the fit he wants and the kind that Juventus is looking for. I told him yesterday that I would pray for him; he deserves to play and perform well, and we will be watching him closely.”
Jaissle’s remarks came during his pre-match press conference, where he confirmed that Newcastle would continue to monitor Martens while he begins his spell in Italy.
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