Newcastle United are one of several clubs in the running to sign young German defender Karim Coulibaly
Karim Coulibaly of Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen defender Karim Coulibaly has been linked with Newcastle United(Image: Getty Images)
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Werder Bremen are braced for firm transfer interest in defender hot prospect Karim Coulibaly, with Newcastle United said to be one of several clubs pursuing the 18-year-old.
The Magpies are looking for defensive reinforcements this summer, with reports in Germany naming Newcastle among the clubs weighing up a move.
Chelsea, Napoli, Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be keeping tabs on Germany U21 international Coulibaly, who has impressed in the Bundesliga for Bremen this season.
The German outfit are aware of interest in the young defender, although head of first-team football Peter Niemeyer insists it is not certain that he will leave.
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“We are aware that there is movement regarding this personnel matter, but there is currently no indication of what the next steps might be or whether this will already happen in the summer," he told Kicker.
“It is, of course, clear that a player with this profile attracts great interest and a lot of attention.”
Bremen's sporting director Clemens Fritz acknowledge interest in the youngster last month, saying: “That interest is not a surprise. We are talking about an 18-year-old left-footed central defender who is an undisputed starter in the Bundesliga.
"He is attracting interest. He is very clear-headed. Very focused and determined, and that is exactly what we need right now."
Karim Coulibaly of Germany U21s
Karim Coulibaly in action for Germany U21s(Image: Getty Images)
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Coulibaly has developed under coach Horst Steffen at Bremen, who played a key role in Nick Woltemade's progress before his move to Stuttgart.
He has not been surprised by his rise - and expects the defender to continue to improve with experience.
“I’m not surprised,” he said when asked about Coulibaly. “I was more surprised that he was more uncertain in the first one or two games than I had previously noticed.
"But he’s still reliable. I am very pleased that he is developing so well.”
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