Werder Bremen managing director Clemens Fritz has admitted that talks are on the way with West Ham over Niclas Füllkrug.

The 33-year-old striker returned to his former club on loan from the Hammers this summer. That deal was a particularly difficult one to get done at the time, with the striker’s agent admitting talks were like going to battle.

In the end, the striker took a big pay cut to get the move he wanted. The loan deal also doesn’t include a purchase option.

That could now prove problematic for Werder Bremen. Füllkrug has hit the ground running since day one, quickly establishing himself as a Bundesliga star once again.

To date he has 12 goals in 10 games – nine in eight in the Bundesliga – is the top goalscorer in the division with more than double Harry Kane’s total, has the best goal conversion rate in the league, the best minutes per goal ratio and the best goals per 90 ratio as well.

He’s also been called up by Jurgen Klopp and is set to make his return to the Germany team in the next international break.

The loan deal has proven to be perfect in the first few months. Now the question is whether a deal can be struck with West Ham to continue their new relationship beyond the end of the season.

Transfer talks pending

Fritz insists that talks are planned and are the next step for them as a club.

“We know what we have in Niclas, and Niclas knows what he has in Werder. Naturally, we would be delighted if he remained in Bremen beyond this season,” MOPO report him saying to Sky.

“The most important thing, first and foremost, is that the player feels comfortable—and I believe that is the case.

“The next step is to enter into a dialogue with West Ham. We will certainly hold discussions to that end. Ultimately, we also have to look at what the financial package would look like.”

Financial concerns

That financial package could end up proving to be key, particularly for Füllkrug. He took a pay cut to make the return to Germany this summer.

That was already essential despite him seeing his wages drop when West Ham were relegated last season.

But if the Hammers were to return to the Premier League this season, his wage packet would return Premier League level next year. That would mean he’d need to take an even more severe cut to return to Bremen permanently.

Then there’s West Ham’s demands. Füllkrug’s deal at the London Stadium runs until 2028 so they are under no pressure to sell.

And a strong season in the Bundesliga – which he is currently having – would allow them to demand a higher fee next summer. They will certainly hope to recoup as much of the €27m they paid in 2024, that’s for sure.

Those things are yet to be determined. But talks are on the way regardless according to Fritz. How long and complicated they prove to be remains to be seen.