SV Werder Bremen has explored the possibility of signing the captain of FC Hansa Rostock: Markus Kolke is also on the list in the search for a goalkeeper.
Will Markus Kolke join Werder Bremen? IMAGO/Jan Huebner
The job profile is clear: SV Werder Bremen is currently looking for a new goalkeeper who will be the clear number three behind regular keeper Michael Zetterer and Mio Backhaus, who is returning from loan to FC Volendam.
After the Bundesliga club had already held advanced but by no means concluded talks with Philipp Kühn, the previous number one of VfL Osnabrück, another alternative of a second division relegated team was examined: Markus Kolke from FC Hansa Rostock has also aroused Werder’s interest.
The 33-year-old has been playing for the Hanseatic League since 2019, has been captain since 2020 – and could well imagine the challenge in Bremen. The difference compared to Kühn, whose contract in Osnabrück expires after six years, is that Kolke is still tied to the FC until 2026 – and even due to relegation to the 3rd division, he does not have an exit clause in his contract.
A transfer fee would be due for Kolke
Werder would therefore have to pay a transfer fee to Rostock if they opted for the more experienced solution: Kolke has played 101 second division and 286 third division games – the 31-year-old Kühn has played 81 and 93 games in these leagues respectively. The new Bremen number three is supposed to push the other two keepers, but without interfering in the competition between Zetterer and Backhaus.
After his year on loan in Volendam and as the second youngest goalkeeper in the top European leagues, the 19-year-old goalkeeping talent Backhaus has already indicated in an interview with kicker that “at some point it is of course my goal to become number one”. However, after his long journey to becoming Bremen’s number one, Zetterer has also recently extended his contract at Osterdeich for the long term.
No promotion bonus from Gruev
Werder is interested in how the Deichstube first reported that Bayern talent Paul Wanner was being loaned out – but this also applies to PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Mönchengladbach. It is possible that they want to wait and see what other clubs are trying to do on the player side. There is no truth to the also rumored interest from Bremen in talent Ole Pohlmann from Borussia Dortmund II (13 goals and ten assists in the 3rd division).
In addition, Werder will have to forego a bonus payment from Leeds United this summer. If the club of Ilia Gruev, who was transferred from Bremen to England last year, had managed to get promoted to the Premier League, they would have had to pay around 1.5 million euros in additional payments. Leeds lost 1-0 to Southampton FC on Sunday.
2024-05-27 16:30:00
#goalkeeper #Werder #inquires #Kolke
