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Bremen want defender decision

Image: Papastathopoulos: Genoa hold transfer rights, but defender is contracted to AC Milan until 2015

Werder Bremen have increased pressure on Genoa over the proposed transfer of Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Italian transfer system proving a frustration for German club

Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has increased pressure on Genoa with regard to the proposed transfer of Greece international Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Genoa are the main holders of the transfer rights for the 23-year-old, but he spent last season as a infrequently used squad player at AC Milan. Despite being registered to Genoa, who have the first option for re-signing, Papastathopoulos is contracted to Milan until 2015 in the convoluted Italian transfer system. The defender played just five matches last season and for that reason Bremen hope to agree a transfer, but they are not prepared to wait for long to discuss a deal with Genoa and Milan. Allofs told BILD: "We are still interested in Sokratis Papastathopoulos. But we do not want to go on waiting for a further two to three weeks. "We do favour a swift decision. At the moment we are trying to get everyone down to the table for negotiations. "We are also in intensive talks with other targets and we are not ready to stall these targets much longer. Sokratis Papastathopoulos has told us he would like to join our club."

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