Werder Bremen are continuing to play transfer games as they seek a discount on Southampton loanee Yukinari Sugawara this summer.
BILD Hannover report on the defender today, including comments from manager Clemens Fritz, regarding the 25-year-old.
Transfer doubts
The newspaper explains that while Yukinari Sugawara has been the most valuable asset of seven loan players this season, no decision has been made about signing him permanently.
It has been thought that Werder were likely to sign the right-back this summer via a €6m option in the loan deal with Southampton. But the last few weeks have changed that.
Sugawara is no longer undisputed in the team. His performances have, reportedly, ‘stagnated’.
Manager Clemens Fritz (45) told BILD: “Yuki has a lot to offer, but there’s still more potential. He’s a good guy, but no decision has been made yet about whether we’ll continue with him.”
Southampton negotiations
But the German club are certain; they won’t pay the €6m purchase clause this summer. that, though, doesn’t mean Yukinari Sugawara’s time with them is over.
Instead, Werder Bremen intend to hold negotiations with Southampton to secure the defender’s services. They, clearly, want a reduction and to get him on the cheap.
The problem on that front is that he’s set to play at the World Cup. His performances there could help to increase his market value. That’s something Southampton are more than aware of. So, a quick agreement with Werder is not expected to happen.
Instead, they will sit and wait to see what happens. Sugawara’s contract runs until 2028 so there’s no immediate pressure on that front either.
It seems they are more than aware of what Werder are doing and won’t play along for the time being. Whether that causes panic at the German club, who would be getting Sugawara for less than his current €7.5m valuation anyway, remains to be seen.
