Werder Bremen’s Striker Search Intensifies as Key Target Chooses Rival Club
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Werder Bremen is facing mounting pressure to secure a new center forward this winter, a need underscored by a failed pursuit of Damion Downs, who has opted to join Hamburger SV. The club’s limited financial resources and the rapidly approaching transfer deadline are compounding the challenge.
Bremen’s head coach, Horst Steffen, clearly values familiarity and talent, as evidenced by his gratitude for former protégé Noble Asllani. However, he’ll be watching Asllani compete against Werder Bremen on Saturday, as the midfielder now plays for TSG Hoffenheim.This situation highlights a broader issue for Bremen: a persistent need to bolster their attacking options,a search that began last summer when they attempted to sign a player from Steffen’s former club,SV Elversberg.
Setbacks and Limited Options
The pursuit of Damion Downs represented a significant opportunity for Werder Bremen, but ultimately proved unsuccessful. According to sources, the club engaged in extensive negotiations with FC Southampton for the 21-year-old, only to lose out to their northern rivals, Hamburger SV, who were in desperate need of attacking reinforcements.
This setback comes after previous missteps in the transfer market, with the club acknowledging that signing players like Victor Boniface and Keke Topp proved to be poor judgments. “It’s clear that we want to do something and we’re working on it,” a senior club official stated following a recent goalless draw against FC St. Pauli.However, the official conceded that acquiring an instantly impactful player would likely require a transfer fee in the range of €15 to €20 million – a sum currently beyond Bremen’s financial reach.
Focus Shifts to Available Talent
With a major transfer seemingly out of the question, Werder Bremen is now exploring alternative options. Players currently without contracts are being considered, but concerns remain about their fitness levels after extended periods without consistent training. “The assessment at Osterdeich is that it would take too long to get them fit for the level required in the Bundesliga,” a source within the club revealed.
Players like koki Ogawa and Jessic Ngankam are reportedly not being considered in the current search. Bremen’s strategy appears to be focusing on so-called “dent players” – professionals whose careers have stalled and are seeking a fresh start. Damion Downs himself fell into this category, making him an attractive target before his decision to join HSV.
Time is of the Essence
Werder Bremen has less than four weeks, until February 2nd, to secure a new attacker before the transfer window closes. Given the looming competitive match on January 10th, time is running short to address the current “storm lull” in their attack.
A name previously considered last summer, Koki Ogawa, is no longer a priority. While the Japanese forward, currently with FC Nijmegen, is reportedly open to playing in the Bundesliga, he doesn’t align with Bremen’s current needs. The same applies to Jessica Ngankam, who Eintracht Frankfurt is reportedly willing to loan.
The pressure is on for werder Bremen to fin
