Major breaking news has emerged from Germany this evening regarding West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug.
For someone who has made just three substitute appearances for West Ham, striker Niclas Fullkrug is certainly dominating the headlines at the moment.
Hammers fans are growing increasingly angry about the striker situation at the club.
And tensions appear to be on the rise inside West Ham too.
Julen Lopetegui is reportedly angry with technical director Tim Steidten after being left with Michail Antonio as his leading striker.
It all centres around the situation with Fullkrug.
Steidten elected to spread his budget across the signings of Luis Guilherme and Fullkrug rather than use it all on Jhon Duran.
Steidten instead chose to sign compatriot and friend Fullkrug.
Eyebrows and red flags were raised by the signing at the time.
Supporters questioned the wisdom of signing a 31-year-old with little pace and a long history of serious injuries.
Plettenberg makes major new claim about Fullkrug
Fullkrug has barely kicked a ball in anger at West Ham.
He was restricted to three substitute appearances by Lopetegui to start the season.
That was despite Steidten declaring he was brought in because he was ready to hit the ground running from the get go.
Fullkrug has been injured since the September international break and will miss his seventh game on the bounce when West Ham play Man United this weekend.
The striker went back to Germany for treatment again this week and rumours have abound he may be out until the new year.
There was even talk yesterday that Fullkrug could be sold in January.
Now a well-connected German journalist has broken news regarding the injured forward.
Florian Plettenberg has made a major new claim about Fullkrug’s West Ham future and return date.
Journalist makes West Ham striker’s future and return date clear
Plettenberg is Germany’s answer to David Ornstein and is said to be well connected with Steidten and Fullkrug.
He was the reporter who broke the news about West Ham putting Edin Terzic on standby to replace Lopetegui earlier this week.
Taking to X on Friday evening, Plettenberg says the Hammers “currently” have no plans to sell Fullkrug – at least not in January.
Nor does the forward want to leave in the winter.
And he states the Germany international is targeting a return to training soon and a comeback after the November international break.
“Niclas Fullkrug is continuing to work hard on his comeback for West Ham United,” Plettenberg said on X.
“His Achilles tendon injury is persistent, but he is expected to return to the pitch in the coming days and should be back in the squad after the international break.
“As of now, Fullkrug isn’t considering a departure in winter.
“West Ham also don’t want to let the 31-year-old leave and believe in German striker. A sale is currently not on the table.”
That means the earliest West Ham will see Fullkrug back in action is up at Newcastle on November 25th.
West Ham then welcome Arsenal to the London Stadium on November 30th.
One thing is for certain, the Fullkrug situation has piled the pressure on relations between Lopetegui, Steidten and the club’s fans.
If he comes back and gets on the goal trail then he may be able to rescue his Hammers career.
But as far as nightmare starts go at a new club, let’s just say it’s fitting it’s Halloween next week.
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