Clemens Fritz has acknowledged that keeping in-form West Ham loanee Niclas Füllkrug beyond the summer could prove difficult.

Niclas Füllkrug has been a big success at Werder Bremen since returning on loan from West Ham in the summer, with a brace against SC Paderborn at the weekend taking his tally to seven goals in as many games for the Green-Whites this season.

Given Füllkrug’s impressive form, questions are already being asked about Werder’s chances of keeping the 33-year-old beyond this season, with sporting managing director Clemens Fritz addressing the topic on the Sky programme “Sky90 – die Fußballdebatte” on Sunday.

“Ultimately, there are three parties involved: West Ham, Niclas and Werder Bremen. And that is, of course, what makes it challenging. With two parties, things are sometimes a little easier,” Fritz said.

One positive for Werder is that Füllkrug is happy at the club.

“Niclas feels comfortable in Bremen. He does us an enormous amount of good. Of course, I would be delighted if he stayed with us beyond this season, and I’m sure the whole of Bremen would feel the same. At the moment, however, it’s still too early,” Fritz added.

Füllkrug remains under contract with West Ham until 2028.