Werder Bremen director waves off Burnley transfer threat over Coulibaly

Werder Bremen have played down speculation linking promising defender Kari Coulibaly with a move to Burnley, after reports revealed the English club had sent scouts to monitor the 18-year-old. The Bundesliga side’s sporting director, Clemens Fritz, insists that the attention is nothing more than a compliment to Bremen’s work and development of young talent.

According to Deich Stube, Burnley’s scout Anri Kaca was in attendance for Bremen’s last match on Friday — seated alongside Coulibaly’s agent, Nochi Hamazor, and the player’s father. The sighting fuelled reports that Scott Parker’s team were weighing up an early move for the teenager, who has impressed since breaking into the first team this season.

However, Werder’s leadership remains unfazed.

According to the same report, Coulibaly’s contract at the Weserstadion does not include a release clause — meaning any interested club would need to pay a substantial fee to even start negotiations. Bremen’s hierarchy also believe the defender is developing well under their current setup and see no reason to consider offers mid-season.

That aligns with earlier reports from Germany suggesting the Bundesliga side expect to make a major profit eventuallyfrom the highly rated youngster, but not until he’s established himself further at the top level.

Coulibaly has caught the eye this season with his maturity and composure on the ball, particularly in one-on-one duels and build-up phases. His form has naturally attracted overseas attention, with Burnley’s recruitment team looking to strengthen their defensive options with younger profiles.

While the Premier League side’s visit to Germany was seen as a clear scouting mission, Bremen’s calm response reflects their faith in both the player’s commitment and their own long-term planning.

In our view, Werder Bremen’s stance is exactly what you’d expect from a club confident in its project. Rather than reacting nervously to Premier League attention, Fritz has turned Burnley’s interest into a validation of Bremen’s youth development. It’s a smart message — steady, respectful, and focused on continuity.

For Burnley, the sighting shows their scouting network is actively monitoring Europe’s next generation, but the financial and contractual realities make a January move extremely unlikely. Coulibaly’s development in Germany looks far from over.

Werder Bremen return to Bundesliga action against Mainz on 1 November 2025, with Coulibaly expected to retain his place in the starting XI. The club’s focus remains firmly on his development, not transfer chatter.

As for Burnley, this scouting trip might just be the start of a longer evaluation process — though it’s clear Werder won’t be making life easy for any suitors circling their latest defensive gem.

👉 Should Burnley push for Coulibaly now, or wait until he’s more established in the Bundesliga?