The West Ham United man did not enjoy a fine first season.
West Ham United’s Havard Nordtveit has told Norwegian outlet Dagbladet that he cannot rule out a return to Germany.
The 26-year-old endured a testing first season with the Hammers following his Bosman switch last summer, after five years with Borussia Monchengladbach.
The former Arsenal youth joined as a defensive midfielder but West Ham boss Slavan Bilic often deployed him in an unfamiliar right-back role which led to a section of the fanbase turning on him.
As a result of a trying 2016-17 campaign, speculation from Kicker has mounted that a host of German clubs – including Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen – are interested in bringing him back to the Bundesliga.
And Nordtveit did nothing to quell such speculation by revealing that he would never rule out a return to the country where he made his name as a footballer.
He told Dagbladet: “Currently, I let the speculation lie. I still have four years left on my contract with West Ham.
“Yes, I had success in Germany. Absolutely. I will never rule out a return to the Bundesliga.”
It is unclear whether Nordtveit is saying that he would not rule out a Bundesliga return one day, or in the near future, but the fact is that his comments might have invited interest from German clubs.
Although his confidence might have taken a battering last season, Nordtveit should stay and fight for his spot in the first XI – and in the right position.
If Bilic signals that he intends on using him at right-back then he should by all means consider a return to Germany, but if not then he should battle Pedro Obiang for the role of West Ham’s anchorman.
He was captain of Arsenal’s Under-18 side and Borussia Monchengladbach, which might suggest a degree of mental strength, and he should summon his strong character to help him turn around his fortunes in East London next term.
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