Werder Bremen close in on Youri Regeer as emergency response to Jens Stage injury

Werder Bremen appears to be nearing a deal to sign Ajax midfielder Youri Regeer in response to the long-term injury of their leading goalscorer Jens Stage. According to reports from Dutch sources, the Bundesliga club is in advanced negotiations for a season-long loan deal with the option to purchase the 23-year-old. Regeer is expected to visit Bremen on Monday to finalize the move, should it go ahead.

Jens Stage, the Danish midfielder, is expected to be sidelined until 2027 after suffering a serious thigh muscle injury during Bremen's final training session before their Bundesliga opener. Sporting director Clemens Fritz described the injury as a "huge shock" and acknowledged that Stage cannot be easily replaced at such short notice.

Regeer, a former Netherlands U21 international, primarily plays as a defensive midfielder but has also featured at right-back. He made 25 appearances last season and started both of Ajax's opening Eredivisie fixtures this term. Regeer is under contract through 2029 and could help Bremen in multiple ways.

While Regeer seems to address some of Bremen's problems, it is unclear if he will be the club's final move before the transfer deadline. Stage's profile is more attacking, and Werder had already been considering the addition of another No. 8 or No. 10. One potential option in this scenario is former Bremen loanee Cameron Puertas.