Naby Keïta’s stint at Werder Bremen seems to have come to an abrupt end, as reported by the German club through official channels on Tuesday afternoon.

What happened?

The midfielder reportedly refused to board the team bus last Sunday upon learning he wouldn’t start in the match against Bayer Leverkusen (resulting in a 5-0 loss).

In response to Keïta’s actions, Werder Bremen has issued a suspension and a substantial fine to the 29-year-old midfielder. Despite this, Keïta took to Instagram on Tuesday to address the situation, asserting his professionalism and expressing dissatisfaction with any damage to his reputation.

Background

Keïta’s transfer to Werder Bremen has been far from successful. Having joined the club on a free transfer from Liverpool last summer, his playing time has been severely limited due to injuries, totaling only 106 minutes on the field. His contract with Werder Bremen extends until mid-2026, but the recent suspension suggests he may be on the lookout for a new club in the upcoming transfer window. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is still estimated at four million euros.

Previously, Keïta made headlines with his high-profile transfer to Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2018, for a staggering sum of sixty million euros. However, his time in England was marred by injuries, resulting in just 129 appearances, during which he managed to score eleven goals and provide seven assists.

What’s next?

The future remains uncertain for Naby Keïta as he navigates the consequences of his actions at Werder Bremen and contemplates his next career move in professional football.