Werder make expansion plans

Werder Bremen are due to increase the capacity of their stadium.

Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen have announced plans to increase the capacity of the Weser Stadion.

The German club's current 42,000 capacity will be increased to 50,000 after an agreement was reached with local residents over parking and traffic concerns.

With the financial aspects of the development ensured, the new stadium development is scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2008/09 season.

The news comes as a major boost to Werder as they attempt to establish themselves on a par with Bayern Munich in Germany and as regular UEFA Champions League contenders.

Meanwhile, there have been reports in Scandinavia suggesting the club are interested in securing the services of Ajax's Swedish international Markus Rosenberg.

According to Sydsvenskan, the Bundesliga side have followed Rosenberg's progress for several months and are considering making a bid for the 24-year-old forward.

Coach Thomas Schaaf is not short of options up front but, as Miroslav Klose and Ivan Klasnic have still not signed new deals with the club, he wants to have options.

Klasnic is contracted to Werder only until the summer, while Klose, whose deal expires in 2008, has suggested that he might look for a new challenge abroad in 2007.

Rosenberg, who can also play in midfield, is tied to Ajax until 2009 but, as he has so far failed to win a permanent place in the first team at the Amsterdam ArenA, the talented Swede may be tempted to leave the club if Werder make a bid.