There is no agreement in place for West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug to leave the club for a reduced fee next summer, Claret & Hugh has been told this morning. Despite suggestions that the Hammers are prepared to accept a nominal transfer fee, we have been informed that no such arrangement has been discussed.
The update came during a conversation with an agent involved in negotiating the German striker’s move to AC Milan last season, following Nuno Espírito Santo’s decision to jettison him from the squad. Füllkrug has since been performing brilliantly on loan at Werder Bremen and appears to have repaired his career in Germany, at least.
However, when we put it to the agent that West Ham were now willing to accept a minimal fee to make his departure permanent, we were told that no discussions had taken place. Furthermore, the current loan arrangement is still costing the Hammers a considerable amount in wages.
Agent Reveals No West Ham Agreement
The agent told us:
“Listen, there is no agreement between West Ham and the German club, and there’s no agreement between West Ham and Füllkrug. At the moment, West Ham are still paying the majority of his wages. It’s not a good deal.
“So, as things stand, everyone’s hoping for the best, that he can have a good season and get a move away.”
The information casts doubt on suggestions that West Ham have already decided to accept a minimal fee for the striker, although it does not rule out such an arrangement being negotiated in the future.
As we revealed in August, Füllkrug accepted a substantial wage reduction to secure his move to Bremen. However, the club’s continued contribution towards his salary means that the financial problem has not disappeared.
Fullkrug would not be welcome back at West Ham
Free Transfer Or £10m Saudi Deal?
The agent also outlined what he believes could happen when Füllkrug’s loan finishes next summer.
“I still think the most likely scenario is that the player agrees to tear up his contract with West Ham and just leaves on a free in the summer. And that at least would save West Ham some wages.
“But honestly, anything could happen at this point. A Saudi club could come in for him in the summer, offer West Ham something like £10 million and pay the player silly money.
“But honestly, at this stage nobody knows what’s going to happen.”
That leaves West Ham facing a familiar dilemma with a player who has rediscovered his form away from the London Stadium.
As recent reports have suggested, Bremen are interested in keeping Füllkrug beyond his season-long loan, but that is very different from having an agreement in place.
The prospect of terminating his contract remains a possibility rather than a certainty, while the suggestion of a £10 million offer from Saudi Arabia is purely hypothetical at this stage.
For now, West Ham are continuing to subsidise the striker’s wages, and despite his excellent form in Germany, there is still no agreed solution to his future.