‘Plan To Negotiate’ – Club Want Southampton Talks To Lower Price Tag
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Werder Bremen will not trigger their option to buy Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara, but will try to convince Saints to let him go for a lower price.
Sugawara joined Southampton from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the 2024 summer transfer window on a four-year contract.
During his time at Saints, Sugawara has made 35 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and chipping in with one assist.
The 25-year-old arrived at Werder Bremen on loan from Southampton in the 2025 summer transfer window after Saints were relegated to the Championship.
The Japanese international slotted right into Werder Bremen’s starting eleven, becoming a key player under head coach Daniel Thioune.
In the Bundesliga this season, Sugawara has made 25 appearances and provided four assists from the right-back position under manager Thioune.
Werder Bremen could make Sugawara’s loan move permanent if they trigger the option to buy they managed to include in the loan deal, which is set around at €6m.
However, Werder Bremen do not want to pay that sum and ‘plan to negotiate’ with Southampton to bring the price tag down, according to German outlet DeichStube (via Fussball Transfers).
Despite Werder Bremen’s desire, they have not yet held any talks with Southampton about a new price for Sugawara.
The defender’s future in Germany appears to depend on whether Saints will accept a lower price.
Southampton are currently sixth in the Championship table and hold the last playoff spot.
The situation around Sugawara’s future could become complicated if Southampton gain promotion and an ex-EFL star believes the Saints will finish the season strongly.
Werder Bremen are currently 14th in the Bundesliga table, seven points above the relegation zone and will want to bolster the defence under boss Thioune next season.
At Southampton, Sugawara’s contract runs until 2028 and the Saints will likely analyse all the circumstances before deciding on the right-back’s future at the club.
Sugawara came on off the bench in Japan’s 1-0 friendly win over England on Tuesday night.
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