'Cautiously positive' about signing West Ham transfer – CEO confident of agreement

Werder Bremen CEO Klaus Filbry says he is 'cautiously optimistic' about securing a permanent deal for Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham, with talks planned.

Werder Bremen are confident of reaching an agreement with West Ham to sign striker Niclas Füllkrug on a permanent basis, according to CEO Klaus Filbry. Füllkrug returned to his former club on loan this summer after taking a significant pay cut to facilitate the move, and has since excelled in the Bundesliga with nine goals in nine league appearances, topping the division's scoring charts.

Filbry told BILD he remains 'cautiously optimistic' that a permanent transfer can be secured, noting that Füllkrug is extremely comfortable at Bremen with his family nearby and access to familiar medical staff. The club's director of football confirmed earlier this month that Werder would enter into dialogue with West Ham to discuss the possibility.

The path to a permanent deal depends partly on West Ham's league status next season. If they fail to secure promotion from the Championship, negotiations would be easier given Füllkrug's salary has been halved from the €4.5m he earned in the Premier League. His West Ham contract currently has two years remaining, though it will be down to one year by next summer.