Werder Bremen weigh sale and loan back for Karim Coulibaly

Werder Bremen are considering an unusual transfer solution for young centre-back Karim Coulibaly this summer, with the club open to selling him and immediately bringing him back on loan for another season.

According to Bild, this option is now being seriously discussed at the Weserstadion.

Club manager Clemens Fritz did not rule out such a move when asked about it. “These are conceivable models for players of Karim’s age,” explained the 45-year-old, adding: “I don’t want to rule that out entirely.” Despite a difficult spell marked by injuries and a shaky display in the 3-1 defeat to Augsburg, Coulibaly is still viewed internally as one of Werder’s biggest defensive prospects. His recent omission from the starting XI, including a full game on the bench against Hoffenheim, has not changed that belief.

Werder are said to be aiming for a fee of around 40 million euros, with Premier League sides, especially Newcastle United, monitoring the situation closely. Fritz admitted there is “movement” in talks but “nothing concrete” yet. A sale with a loan-back would allow Bremen to cash in while keeping Coulibaly’s development on track in familiar surroundings, with the saga potentially accelerating after the World Cup this summer.