Claret & Hugh have learned within the past few minutes that Niclas Füllkrug’s exit from West Ham United is currently being blocked because the club are refusing to sanction a free transfer.
The former German international, who was recently dropped from Germany’s World Cup squad, has been informed by Nuno Espírito Santo that he will never play for West Ham again. It’s also fair to say that the 33 year old has little interest in returning to East London.
We have been informed a club has already been found willing to take Füllkrug on a permanent deal and cover his wages in full, but without paying any transfer fee.
That proposal has now been rejected by West Ham.
West Ham Reluctant To Write Off €27m Deal
The Hammers agreed to pay Borussia Dortmund €27 million for the striker and, with the club’s finances already stretched, there appears little appetite internally to allow him to leave for nothing.
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The situation now leaves both club and player stuck in limbo.
Füllkrug is not expected to return to the squad, yet West Ham are equally unwilling to simply absorb the full financial loss and wave him through the exit door on a free transfer.
Sullivan And Kretinsky Directly Involved
It has also been relayed to Claret & Hugh that both Daniel Křetínský and David Sullivan are taking an active role in ongoing contract negotiations as West Ham attempt to reduce the wage bill following relegation.
Agents have reportedly been mobilised in an effort to move on multiple players this summer.
And at the very top of that list sits Füllkrug.