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Nottingham Forest are monitoring Werder Bremen centre-back Karim Coulibaly, who has attracted interest from a host of European suitors.
The 19-year-old enjoyed his breakthrough campaign with the Bundesliga side last season, making 27 appearances as they finished 15th in the table.
Under former manager Horst Steffen and Daniel Thioune, Coulibaly made 24 starts in the competition and registered one assist, with his performances attracting attention from several clubs this summer.
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The German defender can operate in defensive midfield and left-back in addition to his natural centre-back role, a versatility that has brought interest from Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting, Paris Saint-Germain and others.
In March, Newcastle United were also said to be seriously interested in his signature and held ‘serious talks’ over Coulibaly, although no renewed interest has emerged from the Magpies since.
According to Italian journalist Luca Bendoni, another Premier League side in Nottingham Forest have now entered the race, with the Tricky Trees monitoring the Germany Under-21 international.
Forest have already strengthened their backline by signing Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon, but are still looking to hand Oliver Glasner another defensive option before the window closes.
| Season | Position |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 16th |
| 2024–25 | 7th |
| 2023–24 | 17th |
| 2022–23 | 16th |
| 2021–22 | 4th (Championship, promoted via playoffs) |
Coulibaly has three years remaining on his contract and, with a growing list of suitors circling, Werder Bremen are unlikely to sanction his departure on the cheap.
The City Ground side had also been pursuing Feyenoord full-back Givairo Read and appeared close to securing his signature, but that move now looks unlikely to materialise this window.
On the outgoing front, Nicola Savona has been blocked from leaving amid Serie A interest, with the Garibaldis keen to retain him as part of their squad for the upcoming campaign.
Forest open their season against Leeds United at the City Ground on Saturday, with Glasner still assessing his defensive options.
The Austrian manager has confirmed further signings are still in the pipeline, leaving Coulibaly as one to watch before the window closes.
