The Red Devils face fierce competition from Chelsea and PSG for 18-year-old defender Karim Coulibaly after Lisandro Martinez misses his 96th match through injury
Manchester United have identified Werder Bremen's Karim Coulibaly as the long-term solution to their defensive crisis, with the 18-year-old defender emerging as a €40-50m target to eventually replace injury-plagued Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine centre-back has missed 96 matches through seven different injuries since his £57m arrival from Ajax in summer 2022, forcing United to accelerate their succession planning.
Martinez's latest setback crystallises a pattern that threatens to derail United's defensive stability. The 26-year-old hasn't played since February after suffering yet another injury, having only just returned in November from a cruciate ligament tear.
Since joining United, Martinez has endured:
This isn't merely bad luck. It's become a structural weakness in United's squad planning.
The frustration for Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim stems from Martinez's undeniable quality when available. His aggressive defending, progressive passing and leadership have made him indispensable to United's tactical setup.
But availability remains the best ability, and Martinez's persistent absences have forced United into reactive transfer decisions and tactical compromises that have cost them points and defensive coherence.
Coulibaly's emergence at Bremen offers United a tantalising proposition: a defender with elite potential who could provide both immediate depth and long-term succession planning.
At just 18, the German U21 international has already:
His contract runs until 2029 with no release clause, giving Bremen significant leverage in negotiations.
Coulibaly's profile aligns perfectly with United's recruitment strategy under INEOS ownership. He's young, has resale value, and possesses the technical attributes to play in a high defensive line.
Sky Sports Germany report that United see him as the ideal long-term Martinez replacement, offering the pace and physicality to complement Harry Maguire or Matthijs de Ligt in the immediate term.
United's pursuit of Coulibaly faces significant obstacles beyond Bremen's hefty valuation. The competition reads like a who's who of European football's biggest spenders.
Chelsea have already made contact with Coulibaly's representatives, demonstrating the proactive approach that has seen them hoover up young talent across Europe. Their recent defensive additions haven't deterred them from planning for the future.
More concerning for United is Coulibaly's reported preference. Sources indicate the teenager dreams of playing for PSG, having grown up supporting the French champions.
The challenge for United extends beyond matching financial offers. They must convince an 18-year-old that Old Trafford offers better development opportunities than:
Without Champions League football guaranteed and with defensive instability evident, United's pitch requires creativity. The Premier League club's recent struggles in the transfer market have been well documented.
United's defensive planning has reached a crossroads. Martinez's injury record demands action, but overpaying for potential in a seller's market carries its own risks.
The summer window will test whether United's new football operations team can execute complex negotiations against better-positioned rivals. With Bremen holding all the cards and Coulibaly's preference potentially lying elsewhere, this pursuit could define United's defensive future for the next decade. This latest development adds to the ongoing rumour mill surrounding United's transfer plans, following their pursuit of Nico Williams despite recent attacking additions.
Manchester United are reportedly prepared to pay €40-50 million for Werder Bremen's 18-year-old defender Karim Coulibaly. The German wonderkid has no release clause in his contract that runs until 2029.
Lisandro Martinez has missed 96 matches through seven different injuries since joining Manchester United from Ajax in summer 2022. His injury problems have forced United to accelerate their defensive succession planning.
Manchester United face competition from Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Newcastle and Napoli for Karim Coulibaly's signature. The 18-year-old has become one of Europe's most sought-after young defenders.
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At just 18, Coulibaly has made 22 Bundesliga appearances this season and became Werder Bremen's youngest ever Bundesliga goalscorer. He's been labeled a 'world class' prospect and represents Germany at U21 level.
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