Newcastle United and Chelsea have held “serious talks” with Werder Bremen about signing centre-back Karim Coulibaly, according to reports in the German media.
Bild claims that the two Premier League clubs are the most advanced in negotiations to sign the 18-year-old.
However, Serie A champions Napoli and Ligue One side Marseille are also very keen on Coulibaly.
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Despite the interest, it is believed that no formal offers have been submitted for the defender, but Werder Bremen are expected to demand upwards of €45m (£39m) despite his lack of experience.
What do Newcastle fans need to know about the player?
Coulibaly was born in Germany but he does also hold Ivorian citizenship. He came through the youth ranks of Bramfelder, SV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst and Hamburg before moving to Werder Bremen on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.
The teenager made his senior debut as a substitute against Eintracht Frankfurt in August last year, replacing Niklas Stark for the final 15 minutes of the 4-1 defeat.
Coulibaly subsequently established himself as a regular starter, being named in the starting lineup for the 3-3 draw against Bayer Leverkusen just a week after his first appearance – a match in which he also scored his first senior goal. He has gone on to make 22 appearances in total this season.
Why is Coulibaly being targeted?
Manager Eddie Howe has preferred to pursue Premier League proven players, but the interest in the German centre-half is probably being pushed by sporting director Ross Wilson.
As things stand, Newcastle will lose Fabian Schar on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June, and it is more than likely that Koulibaly is being eyed as a replacement, despite being 16 years younger than the Swiss international.
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