Loan watch: Niclas Füllkrug at it again
Niclas Füllkrug scored as Werder Bremen defeated Hoffenheim 2-0 in the Bundesliga over the weekend. This was his ninth goal in eight league games this campaign. The striker is the division's top goalscorer, and five goals ahead of the Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane.
The only Bundesliga match Füllkrug has not scored in this season was Werder's opening game, which they lost to Freiburg. Since then, Werder have been undefeated and are now fifth in the league. They are only three points behind the leaders, Bayern Munich. Next up for Werder is a match against Stuttgart this Saturday.
Füllkrug is only on a straight loan from West Ham United and is still contracted to the Hammers until 2028. However, Werder will want to make him a permanent signing. Ekrem Konur recently posted on X: "Bremen are preparing to open talks with West Ham United over a potential return for Niclas Füllkrug.
"West Ham are not believed to be willing to let the experienced striker leave for a low fee following his strong performances. As a result, negotiations could become complicated and may drag on until the latter stages of the summer transfer window. Any deal could also require Füllkrug to accept a significant reduction in his current salary."
West Ham's other loanees have not been doing as well as Füllkrug
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is still out with a hamstring injury, so he missed Aston Villa's 1-1 draw with Fulham. Villa are currently ninth in the Premier League, and their manager, Unai Emery, has been linked with the Manchester United job.
It is not expected that Emery will leave Villa to replace Michael Carrick. Villa also plays the Red Devils this Sunday. However, before that, Villa will face Barcelona away in the Champions League tomorrow night. Emery's side are currently second in Europe's top competition, behind defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Wan-Bissaka could return to Villa training this week, which would be timely as their other right-back, Matty Cash, is suspended for the United game. This is because he picked up his fifth yellow card against Fulham.
Jean-Clair Todibo played 62 minutes as RC Lens lost 1-0 to Lille in Ligue 1. Todibo is not fully fit and has been limited to playing around an hour in each of Lens' last three league games. They are currently ninth in the division and play Marseille this Sunday.
Lens are also in Champions League action this week, as they play Como on Wednesday night. Not many West Ham fans will be tuning in for that game, though, as it is when the Hammers are playing Cardiff City.
Kaelan Casey played 90 minutes as Stevenage drew 2-2 with Leicester City in League One. This was Casey's first start in the division of the campaign. He has a good chance to get a run in the team, with Luther James-Wildin injured. Stevenage are 16th in English football's third tier, so they will need Casey to be in form so they are not dragged into a relegation battle.
