SV Werder Bremen cannot get rid of Naby Keita. There is still hope, given that the transfer window is still open abroad. Will the contract otherwise be terminated?
The never-ending story continues: The question of what will happen next with Naby Keita at SV Werder Bremen remains unanswered. The only thing that is certain is that there will be no happy ending. The player has no sporting prospects in Bremen – but now has a contract that is valid for another two years until 2026.
Why is Werder unable to get rid of the former Liverpool FC top player? “You hear something here and there. But so far it hasn’t gone so far as to be concrete. We continue to hope that we will find a solution,” says Head of Professional Football Peter Niemeyer.
Keita: Turkey speculation inaccurate
The 29-year-old “would like to look for a new challenge, together with his advisor we want to realize this as soon as possible”, sporting director Clemens Fritz had announced the procedure for the Keita personnel matter – that was a month ago. Since then, it has been quiet around the midfielder, who is still undergoing individual training at the Osterdeich.
The summer transfer window is still open in some countries, such as Qatar (one day), Russia (four days) and Turkey (five days). Any speculation linking Keita with a move to Istanbul club Basaksehir FK during the week does not apply.
Contract termination? Niemeyer: “Then we will re-evaluate ”
Will the contract be terminated as a last resort? “We’ll wait until all the transfer windows are closed,” says Niemeyer: ”We’ll work on possible solutions until then. And if this possibility no longer exists, we will reassess the situation.” Keita’s consultancy agency is still exploring all options – but ultimately, a transfer has to be interesting for the player above all else.
And then there are two other professionals who were also considered to be candidates for departure throughout the summer, but who have not yet left Bremen either – and probably won’t do so again: At least in the case of Oliver Burke and Abdenego Nankishi, there is no longer any indication of this. However, their prospects for the current season appear to be extremely limited
What prospects do Burke and Nankishi have for Werder?
Aparticularly as Burke is currently missing again with a muscular injury. “It’s annoying that he’s injured now,” Niemeyer makes clear: ”He also has to stabilize, stay fit, do lots of training sessions – and try to get into the team.” And the head of professional soccer says of Nankishi: “Basically, he’s already with the pros, but of course it could be that Abed needs match practice and that he can get his minutes with the U23s. ”
