Niclas Füllkrug’s Return to Werder Bremen Gains Momentum
A potential return for Niclas Füllkrug to Werder Bremen seems increasingly feasible as the Bundesliga club continues its hunt for an established centre-forward prior to the upcoming season. According to Kicker, the situation surrounding the 33-year-old has changed significantly. Initially, West Ham United sought a transfer fee for Füllkrug, but they are now reportedly willing to let the Germany international depart without a fee, despite the fact that he has two years remaining on his contract. Füllkrug is also said to be open to accepting a pay cut to enable the move.
This reunion with Werder Bremen is not a new notion. Get German Football News previously identified Bremen as a particularly logical destination when Füllkrug considered a return to the Bundesliga last autumn. At that time, the need for regular playing time and the desire to maintain his international career were significant factors influencing his decision to leave West Ham. Now, all parties may be inclined to mutually agree on terminating Füllkrug’s contract at West Ham.
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Füllkrug Looking for Fresh Start After Challenging Stint Abroad
Füllkrug’s journey has taken a sharp turn since his last appearance for Werder. Following his return to Bremen in 2019, injuries disrupted his early seasons. His fortunes improved after Werder’s relegation, aided by the arrival of Ole Werner, which revived both the striker and the club. Partnered with Marvin Ducksch, Füllkrug scored 19 goals during the 2021/22 2. Bundesliga season, aiding Werder’s immediate promotion back to the top division. He continued this form into the Bundesliga, netting 16 goals in the 2022/23 season, securing the league’s scoring title.
This successful period also elevated his international career. Füllkrug made his Germany debut at 29 and quickly became a crucial striker for die Nationalmannschaft. His rise led to a move from Bremen to Borussia Dortmund in 2023, where he shone by scoring 15 competitive goals in one season, helping BVB reach the Champions League final before transferring to West Ham for €27 million a year later.
However, his tenure in England has not progressed as hoped. Füllkrug has only tallied three goals in 29 competitive matches for West Ham, with injuries hampering his ability to find consistency. A loan spell at AC Milan last season yielded just one goal in 20 appearances. GGFN has noted the growing interest within the Bundesliga as West Ham looks to find a resolution regarding Füllkrug’s situation; Wolfsburg made considerable efforts to bring the striker back to Germany, but a permanent deal did not materialize.
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Werder Bremen Seeks to Strengthen Offensive Options
The timing could now align for both parties. Werder has been proactive in reshaping Daniel Thioune’s squad, with Ludovit Reis returning to German football with Bremen and Eren Dinkçi nearing a return to his hometown club. Dinkçi adds versatility to Thioune’s options but does not alter Bremen’s need for another specialist centre-forward.
New addition Cedric Itten, who scored 15 goals in the 2. Bundesliga last season, alongside 20-year-old academy striker Salim Musah, who is well-regarded. Despite these additions, Bremen views starting the Bundesliga season with only these options as a risky endeavor. Their recent 1-0 friendly loss to Auxerre underscored the team’s deficiency in attacking quality.
For Werder, few viable candidates could provide as much proven quality specifically within their context as Füllkrug. His prior time with the club encompassed all facets: serious injuries, relegation, internal strife, revival, promotion, securing the Bundesliga scoring title, and ultimately a breakthrough with Germany.
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Financially, Füllkrug’s salary poses a challenge, although both sides are now seemingly in a position to negotiate successfully. West Ham’s readiness to forego a fee grants Bremen more leeway to craft a fitting contract, while Füllkrug’s willingness to reduce his salary hints that sporting considerations have taken precedence over financial ones.
After two challenging years away from Germany, Bremen can provide the familiarity, playing time, and a team that specifically requires his skill set. Bringing back a 33-year-old striker following less productive spells in England and Italy carries inherent risks, but the prospect of signing him without a transfer fee reshapes the conversation.
What once appeared as a mere nostalgic thought in May is evolving into a legitimate prospect for a mutually beneficial reunion.
A return to Werder Bremen for Niclas Füllkrug is becoming increasingly realistic as the Bundesliga club continue searching for an established centre-forward ahead of the new season. Kicker reports circumstances surrounding the 33-year-old have changed significantly. West Ham United initially demanded a transfer fee for Füllkrug, but are now reportedly prepared to allow the Germany international to leave without a fee despite two years remaining on his contract. Füllkrug would also be prepared to accept a reduction on his substantial Premier League salary in order to facilitate a move.
A Werder reunion would hardly be a new idea. Get German Football News already identified Bremen as a particularly logical potential destination when Füllkrug began contemplating a Bundesliga return last autumn. At the time, regular football and the prospect of maintaining his Germany career were among the major arguments for leaving West Ham. Now, all parties involved may simply agree to terminate Füllkrug’s West Ham contract out of mutual interest.
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Niclas Füllkrug seeking reset after difficult years abroad
Füllkrug’s career has changed dramatically since he last donned the Werder jersey. The Hannover native’s first seasons following his 2019 return to Bremen were repeatedly disrupted by injuries. His fortunes eventually changed following Werder’s relegation, when the arrival of Ole Werner helped revive both the striker and the club. Working alongside Marvin Ducksch, Füllkrug struck 19 times in the 2021/22 2. Bundesliga campaign as Werder returned immediately to the top flight. He then carried that form into the Bundesliga, scoring 16 goals in 2022/23 to claim the league’s goalscoring crown.
That period also transformed his international career. Füllkrug made his Germany debut at the age of 29 and quickly established himself as a valuable penalty-area striker for die Nationalmannschaft. His rise culminated in a move from Bremen to Borussia Dortmund in 2023. The Dortmund chapter proved successful. Füllkrug scored 15 competitive goals during his solitary season at the Westfalenstadion and helped BVB reach the Champions League final before leaving for West Ham in a €27m move one year later.
His English adventure never properly gathered momentum. Füllkrug has scored just three times in 29 competitive West Ham appearances, while injuries repeatedly interrupted his ability to establish rhythm. A six-month loan to AC Milan last season produced only one goal in 20 appearances. GGFN subsequently covered increasing Bundesliga interest as West Ham sought a solution for Füllkrug. Wolfsburg were among the clubs to make serious attempts to bring the striker back to Germany, but no permanent Bundesliga return materialized.
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Werder still lack proven finishing quality
The timing may now finally work for both parties. Werder have already been active in reshaping Daniel Thioune’s squad. Ludovit Reis has returned to German football with Bremen, while Eren Dinkçi is also closing in on a return to his hometown club. Dinkçi gives Thioune another versatile option capable of working on either flank, behind a striker or through the middle. He does not, however, change Bremen’s desire to acquire another specialist centre-forward.
New arrival Cedric Itten scored 15 times in the 2. Bundesliga last season, while 20-year-old academy striker Salim Musah remains highly regarded. Bremen nevertheless consider beginning the Bundesliga campaign with only those options an unnecessary risk. Saturday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Auxerre highlighted the fact that Bremen lack attacking quality in the final third.
Few attainable candidates could offer more proven quality specifically in a Werder context than Füllkrug. His previous spell contained virtually every stage imaginable: serious injuries, relegation, internal friction, revival, promotion, the Bundesliga scoring title and ultimately a Germany breakthrough.
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The financial obstacle remains his salary, but both sides now appear more capable of finding common ground. West Ham’s willingness to forego a fee gives Bremen considerably more room to construct a suitable contract, while Füllkrug’s reported willingness to sacrifice income suggests that sporting considerations have taken priority.
After two difficult years away from Germany, Bremen can offer familiarity, minutes and a team that requires precisely his profile. For Werder, bringing back a 33-year-old striker following lean spells in England and Italy would carry obvious risk. Yet the possibility of acquiring him without a transfer fee transforms the equation.
What looked like little more than a nostalgic idea in May is beginning to resemble a genuine potential win-win reunion.
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