NEWS
Only one was more expensive: Bremen sells talent for 25 million
Werder Bremen loses one of its greatest talents. The central defender is on the verge of a move to RC Strasbourg.
SV Werder Bremen is on the verge of selling Karim Coulibaly.
According to consistent media reports, the 19-year-old central defender is moving to French first-division club RC Strasbourg. The transfer fee is said to be 20 million euros plus up to five million euros in potential bonus payments.
In addition, Werder is reportedly securing a ten percent sell-on clause.
Strasbourg strengthens its central defense
Strasbourg is thus signing its second highly-rated central defender talent within a few days.
Just this Wednesday, the signing of Jeyland Mitchell was made official. The 21-year-old former SK Sturm Graz defender is costing the French club around eight million euros and has already been presented as a new signing.
For Coulibaly, Strasbourg is now digging significantly deeper into its pockets. The German is reportedly set to cost approximately three times as much as his new teammate.
In the long run, Coulibaly could also become a target for FC Chelsea. The English top club is a cooperation partner of Strasbourg and is reportedly closely monitoring the development of the German U21 international.
Second most expensive sale in Werder history
For Werder Bremen, the transfer represents a historic windfall. Coulibaly will become the second most expensive sale in the club's history.
Only legendary playmaker Diego brought in more for Bremen. The Brazilian moved to Juventus Turin in 2009 for around 27 million euros.
Friedl loses defensive partner
Despite his young age, Coulibaly has already made a considerable impression at Werder. In the past Bundesliga season, the 19-year-old appeared in central defense alongside captain Marco Friedl in more than 20 matches.
For Austrian national team player Friedl, the departure of his previous defensive partner thus also means a sporting adjustment.
In addition to Friedl, Marco Grüll is another Austrian national team player in Werder's squad. The future of the 28-year-old from Salzburg also now seems to be clarified (More info>>>).
