Chelsea in ‘severe talks’ to signal Werder Bremen centre-back Karim Coulibaly

Chelsea are in talks to signal extremely rated German centre-back Karim Coulibaly from Werder Bremen subsequent summer time, based on BILD by way of Metro.

The 18-year-old has spent his childhood in Germany, passing by means of the academy ranks at Bramfelder SV, HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst, and Hamburger SV earlier than graduating from Werder Bremen’s youth division.

He was regularly built-in with the senior squad at Bremen throughout pre-season and made his first-team debut as a late substitute in a defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt final August.

Since then, he has progressed steadily, establishing himself — when match — as a daily presence within the coronary heart of Bremen’s defence, beginning 20 matches of their Bundesliga marketing campaign.

It has been a tough season general for Bremen, who’re presently seventeenth and dealing with an actual menace of relegation to the second tier. Nonetheless, Coulibaly has emerged as one of many standout positives beneath present head coach Daniel Thioune and his predecessor Horst Steffen.

Citing Bild, Metro studies that Coulibaly is ready to depart Bremen subsequent summer time, with most European golf equipment making enquiries concerning the teenager.

Nonetheless, amid curiosity from a number of golf equipment, Chelsea are one of many only a few golf equipment which have expressed ‘concrete curiosity’ in signing the 6ft 3in defensive ace, based on the report.

Thrilling prospect

It seems the Blues wish to swiftly wrap up a deal, because the German outlet by way of Metro claims that the London giants have held ‘severe talks’ for Coulibaly’s attainable switch to Stamford Bridge, and so they haven’t any downside matching Bremen’s £39m valuation, though a proper supply haven’t been submitted at this stage.

Nonetheless, Chelsea face stern competitors for the Germany U21 centre-back, as Newcastle United have held talks for the teenager, whereas Napoli and Marseille have additionally proven concrete curiosity in his signature, based on the report.

Chelsea already boast a wealth of promising centre-backs throughout each their academy and senior ranks. Josh Acheampong has now been absolutely built-in into the first-team setup, whereas Mamadou Sarr stays a part of the membership’s long-term imaginative and prescient after coming back from a mortgage spell at Strasbourg.

Moreover, the Blues struck an settlement in precept in November to signal extremely rated Colombian defender Deinner Ordóñez from Independiente del Valle as soon as he turns 18, additional reinforcing an already youthful defensive pipeline.

With such depth of rising choices, prioritising one other younger centre-back will not be essential. As a substitute, there’s a compelling want for a extra skilled choice to regular the ship at Liam Rosenior’s backline.