The midfielder’s representatives may be keen to talk up a move to Aston Villa, Fulham or Southampton. But his current employers? Not so much.
TBR reported on Wednesday that, with at least three Premier League clubs keeping a close eye on one of Euro 2024’s breakout talents, Romano Schmid’s people were more than happy to keep the door open to English football.
A door Werder Bremen’s managing director, Clemens Fritz, has wasted little time in slamming shut once again.
It is understood that those representing the Austria international have told Schmid that he would be allowed to leave for less than £10 million in the winter. A bargain Aston Villa, Fulham and relegation-threatened Southampton appear tempted to take up.
But Fritz insists that there will be nothing decided in the winter.
If Schmid does depart Werder Bremen, it will only happen in the summer. And, even then, a sale is far from guaranteed though if his contract situation does leave the 2004 Bundesliga champions in a rather vulnerable state.
Schmid’s current deal expires in 2026.
Aston Villa and Southampton will have to wait for Romano Schmid
“It’s completely normal that other clubs are interested in a player with such positive development,” Fritz tells Deichstube. “[But] Romano leaving in the winter is not an issue for us at all. He is very important to our team and we will not do without him during the current season.
“We’ll have to wait and see what happens in the summer. There’s still a lot of time until then.”
One of the more underrated attacking midfielders in German football, Schmid scored four times and set up seven more for Werder as they avoided relegation last term. His intensity in and out of possession, meanwhile, makes the tigerish, tireless 24-year-old a must-have for the so-called ‘Godfather of Gegenpressing’ in the Austria dugout.
Ralf Rangnick, he of interim Manchester United fame, could not speak highly enough of Schmid after he scored a rare header as surprise packages Austria defeated the Netherlands 3-2 at this year’s European Championships.
“It’s incredible how much Romano has developed in the last year,” former Man United interim boss Rangnick said over the summer, after Schmid scored in a thrilling 3-2 win over the Netherlands, per Laola 1.
“I’m very happy for him that he was rewarded for his top performance with a headed goal.”
Southampton need a player of Schmid’s talents
Russell Martin, the Southampton manager, would certainly appreciate a footballer of Schmid’s talents. A grit and guile would come in very handy at St Mary’s, with Southampton often too ponderous in possession and slack without it.
Schmid, a terrific presser from the front as well as a fine technician, would surely give The Saints’ survival hopes a timely shot in the arm.
Martin did indicate, speaking earlier this month, that Southampton may look to add a much-needed cutting edge to their squad during the January window.
TBR understands that Southampton are keen on Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku too.
“[Striker Cameron Archer] needs a bit more support than he’s getting,” Martin told the Daily Echo after Southampton let an invaluable lead slip late on against relegation rivals Everton.
“We will get there. That’s the process and we’ll show them the clips and we’ll try and learn from that. We got there [into the box] a lot against Everton.”