The extent of the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on European clubs is largely unknown at present, but this summer’s transfer window is, in all likelihood, going to be more subdued than normal with clubs reluctant to splash huge sums in the current climate.
The Bundesliga however will remain one of the prime marketplaces with German talent on many club’s shopping lists. One player surely to be attracting more than a fleeting interest is Werder Bremen’s Milot Rashica
Werder Bremen have been here before. A player joins the Grün-Weißen as a promising talent, improves his game in a generally struggling side and then moves on to bigger and better things (read Mesut Özil, Kevin De Bruyne, Serge Gnabry).
23-year-old Rashica was an attractive proposition prior to the Covid-19 crisis, but his stock has only risen as a consequence. With a release clause of €38 million in his contract, the Kosovo international provides excellent value for money and there is already a queue forming for his services. Sport Bild have reported that his release clause will drop to €15 million if Werder Bremen are relegated from the Bundesliga- this will only make the attacker more attractive to his suitors.
It is safe to say that Florian Kohfeldt’s Werder have endured a torrid season and sit in the bottom two going into the final nine games of the campaign, but Rashica has been the one shining light at the Weserstadion. With seven league goals and four assists to his name, he is showing that he can shine in a substandard side- just think what he could achieve at a higher level. But just where will that ‘higher level’ be?
Outside of the Bundesliga, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool have been linked with the player and it is clear to see that he would be a decent fit into the reigning Champions League winners. Able to play on either flank, he would fit seamlessly into the Red’s side, but with Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané as first-choice starters, Rashica might have to settle for a role as back-up at Anfield.
With Rashica keen on joining a Champions League side, only Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig would seem likely destinations should he opt to extend his stay in the Bundesliga.
Again, he would be a good fit at BVB, but a lot would depend on whether Jadon Sancho leaves the club. Should the English youngster depart for a big-money move, the Schwarzgelben would be more likely to bring in a like-for-like replacement. Having said that, knowing that Sancho will eventually be prised away could make the acquisition of Rashica now a prudent move from Michael Zorc.
However, if the rumours in the German press are to be believed- RB Leipzig look to be Rashica’s more likely destination next season- despite the club denying everything (no smoke without fire?).
“Milot is interesting. But there are many other interesting players” RB sporting director Markus Krösche told Bild. “Basically, we are of course always concerned with our future squad. But that’s still far away, our focus is on the resumption of the league on Saturday.
“Afterwards, we’ll see what conditions prevail and what opportunities we have, so we can deal with the topic in more concrete terms.”
Whatever the rest of the Bundesliga season brings for Werder Bremen, one thing is clear- they will have no shortage of offers in the summer for their star player.
