Strasbourg raise offer for Werder Bremen defender Karim Coulibaly

Strasbourg have stepped up their pursuit of Karim Coulibaly with an improved offer worth €20 million plus bonuses for the Werder Bremen centre-back.

Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the Ligue 1 club submitted the new proposal on Tuesday and that talks during the latest round of negotiations have reduced the gap between the parties. Strasbourg are increasingly confident that an agreement can be found, although Werder have not yet accepted the offer.

The bid represents a significant move forward after Werder rejected two earlier approaches. BILD reported on Monday that both of Strasbourg’s previous offers were below €20 million and were considered insufficient by the Bundesliga club, who had lowered an earlier valuation but were still seeking a fee in the region of €30 million.

That leaves the clubs closer than they were at the start of negotiations without making the transfer a done deal. The value of the bonuses attached to Strasbourg’s latest proposal has not been disclosed, and the final structure could prove important if Werder continue to insist on a higher guaranteed fee.

Strasbourg’s interest is being driven at ownership level. Di Marzio reports that BlueCo, the group behind Strasbourg and Chelsea, have tracked Coulibaly for some time and that Behdad Eghbali has become personally involved in efforts to advance the deal. Sporting CP are also among the clubs monitoring the defender.

Coulibaly, 19, has emerged rapidly since breaking into Werder’s senior side. The left-footed defender stands at 1.91 metres and has been with the Bremen club since 2024 after previously developing in Hamburg.

His breakthrough season included a notable piece of club history: Coulibaly became Werder’s youngest Bundesliga goalscorer when he struck against Bayer Leverkusen at 18 years, three months and seven days. His performances subsequently established him as a regular first-team option and increased interest from clubs outside Germany.

Werder therefore have little incentive to rush into a sale below their valuation. Strasbourg, on the other hand, have now demonstrated a willingness to improve their terms after seeing two proposals rejected.

The negotiations have entered a more serious phase, but the distinction remains important: Strasbourg have made an improved offer and the gap is narrowing; they have not yet reached an agreement with Werder for Coulibaly.