Niclas Fullkrug Returns to Werder Bremen as RB Leipzig Chase Christopher Nkunku Reunion
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Niclas Fullkrug is returning to Werder Bremen on a season-long loan from West Ham, with the move including no loan fee and no option to buy, according to 4-4-2.com and Deichstube. The 33-year-old, who is taking a pay cut to complete the deal, arrived at the Weser Stadium on Tuesday morning for a medical ahead of signing, coming back to the club where he spent four productive years between 2019 and 2023 before a previous loan spell at AC Milan.
RB Leipzig are stepping up efforts to bring Christopher Nkunku back to the club, having contacted the forward's representatives over the weekend, according to Bulinews and Get German Football News. Nkunku's year at Milan has effectively ended after coach Ruben Amorim left him out of his plans, and while Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona have also held talks over a move, a loan is seen as the likeliest structure given his salary.
Eintracht Frankfurt have officially confirmed the free-transfer departure of striker Michy Batshuayi to Saudi side Abha Club, ending his time in the Bundesliga.
VfL Wolfsburg have signed forward Alexander Bernhardsson from Holstein Kiel for around €5m plus bonuses, on a contract running to 2029.
Transfer and squad notes
VfB Stuttgart's signing of striker Dzenan Pejcinovic from VfL Wolfsburg was completed on 16 August, with the 21-year-old putting pen to paper on a deal through 2031.
What it means for the league
Werder's ability to bring back a proven Bundesliga scorer in Fullkrug without paying a fee shows clubs finding value in experienced players whose big-money moves abroad didn't work out. Leipzig's pursuit of Nkunku follows a similar pattern, aiming to re-establish a player once central to their identity as competition from Dortmund and Barcelona adds urgency to any deal before the window closes on 31 August. With the Bundesliga season starting on 28 August, clubs across the table are using the final fortnight to finalise squads through both incoming reunions and outgoing departures like Batshuayi's.