Wolfsburg reportedly knocked back by Werder defender in January

According to Sky Sport Germany, Die Wölfe identified 27-year-old Friedl as a key defensive target and tabled an offer in excess of €10 million in an effort to bolster their back line over the winter.

However, Friedl is said to have turned down the move, with the Austrian international keen to remain in Bremen and help steer the club through their difficult spell as they battle for Bundesliga survival. The defender has made 18 league appearances for Werder this season, scoring once.

Since then, Werder have parted ways with head coach Horst Steffen following last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach, with the club currently in the process of identifying a successor.

Elsewhere, Wolfsburg enjoyed greater success on deadline day, securing defensive reinforcements with the signings of Jonas Adjetey from FC Basel on a permanent deal and Jeanuël Belocian on loan from Bayer Leverkusen.