AC Milan have reportedly made a jaw-dropping decision on Niclas Fullkrug after just a single training session, in a development that will make West Ham look ridiculous.
West Ham play crucial back-to-back home games against Fulham and Brighton to close out a miserable 2025 without having Niclas Fullkrug to call on after shipping the wantaway flop out on loan to AC Milan.
Fullkrug was the latest in the long line of disastrous West Ham striker signings, scoring just three goals during an injury-hit 18 months after joining in a £27m deal.
Hammers News revealed West Ham had become concerned by Fullkrug’s attitude after a lack of effort in his most recent appearances.
The Germany international has wanted out for some time and now has his wish after joining Italian giants AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season.
Hammers took huge gamble with Fullkrug deal
The Hammers are on the hunt for at least one new striker in the January transfer window.
Getting that right is vital if West Ham are to have any hope of Premier League survival.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
But the Irons have taken a big risk by moving Fullkrug on despite not having a replacement lined up to come in on January 1st as things stand.
Especially as Callum Wilson is Nuno Espirito Santo’s only other senior striker option.
And particularly due to the details of the deal the Hammers have agreed with Milan.
The Irons are notoriously bad at getting value when moving players on.
West Ham agreed a ridiculous loan with Milan for Fullkrug which sees the San Siro side only covering his wages for the second half of the season.
Not only is there is no loan fee or obligation to buy, but the Hammers have also agreed a paltry £4m fee for Milan to make the move permanent at the end of the season – a £23m hit on their initial outlay.
The arrangement represents a huge risk for West Ham given Fullkrug’s lengthy history of serious injuries.
Now the deal is looking even worse from West Ham’s point of view.
Because AC Milan have made an astonishing decision on West Ham flop Fullkrug after just one training session.
Milan’s astonishing Fullkrug decision after one training session
Fullkrug has been pictured training with his new side despite the deal not being officially announced by either club or the window being open for another five days.
Milan brought Fullkrug in after their striker Santiago Gimenez – a longstanding Hammers target – picked up an injury which required surgery.
What would YOUR ideal January transfer window look like? 💰
And which changes would you make to our XI?
The Mexican had been linked with a move away from the San Siro after flopping in Italy. In fact Gimenez was once again linked with West Ham before his injury.
So his future at the San Siro looks in doubt even when he does return.
That might give West Ham encouragement of at least making some money back on Fullkrug at the end of his loan.
But after just one training session with his new side, Fullkrug’s Milan future already looks decided.
And it just makes West Ham’s seriously questionable deal look even more naïve.
According to Radio Sportiva and Tutto Mercato Web journalist Marco Conterio, AC Milan have in the last 24 hours contacted the camp of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Because they want to sign the Serbian striker on a free transfer at the end of the season instead of Fullkrug.
Milan make mind up on West Ham flop Fullkrug already
Vlahovic is due back from injury in January and is out of contract in the summer as things stand.
Now West Ham will have to hope the German can impress in Italy and change Milan’s minds or attract interest from other clubs.
It is clear Milan don’t see Fullkrug as an option for a permanent deal.
So one has to question the wisdom of West Ham sanctioning the move in the first place.
If Fullkrug was to pick up an injury towards the end of his loan spell, West Ham could be left with a player on big wages who they can’t move on.
And that would become an even bigger problem if the Hammers find themselves in the Championship.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
