It was inevitable that Massimiliano Allegri would be asked about Niclas Fullkrug, the West Ham United striker so heavily linked with a move to Italy, when facing the media ahead of AC Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Napoli.
After all, while Wolfsburg were reportedly in pole position this time last week, the San Siro has since emerged as the most likely destination for a striker who looks set to leave the Hammers after only eleven Premier League starts and a measly three goals.
AC Milan have reportedly agreed terms with Niclas Fullkrug regarding his wages already. The seven-time European Champions are expected to take ownership of the £90,000-a-week pay packet he receives at West Ham United.
German publication BILD, meanwhile, report that West Ham believe an agreement will be reached ‘soon’.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
The Londoners are yet to green-light the move – Milan want Fullkrug on loan, while the Hammers would ideally like there to be an option or preferably an obligation-to-buy clause included – but both parties appear keen to come to an arrangement in the relatively near future.
And, unsurprisingly, it did not take long before Fullkrug’s name was put to the man in the Milan hotseat during his press conference on Wednesday.
Max Allegri coy when asked about AC Milan signing West Ham United’s Niclas Fullkrug
Allegri, a six-time Scudetto-winning manager enjoying an impressive start to his second spell with Milan, recently lost Santiago Gimenez to a potentially long-term injury.
Former Feyenoord marksman Gimenez was linked with West Ham, as part of a potential January swap deal. That is not going to happen now, of course.
Allegri’s response on the prospect of Fullkrug replacing the Mexico international, meanwhile, was reflective of a manager unwilling to give the game away at this early stage.
He indicated that whether or not Milan proceed with their interest in Fullkrug may depend on how long Gimenez is confirmed to be out for once he undergoes surgery on Thursday.
“Gimenez had a medical consultation and was advised to undergo surgery,” says Allegri, who won five straight Serie A titles as coach of Juventus between 2015 and 2019. “The operation should take place tomorrow morning.
“AC Milan’s transfer window is focused on recovering the available players. Then, we’ll see what we can do on the transfer market together with the club.”
Fullkrug has been snubbed by Stuttgart and Eintracht Frankfurt
While things are moving forward, nothing is signed at this stage. Should Gimenez’s injury be less serious than first feared, and if West Ham refuse to let Fullkrug leave temporarily without a purchase clause, there is still a chance the negotiations could grind to a halt.
Some have also suggested that Milan may be unwilling to sign the 33-year-old permanently. Fullkrug is allegedly seen as a short-term quick-fix until Dusan Vlahovic, out of contract with Juventus next summer, becomes available.
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Stuttgart have ruled themselves out of the running already. Eintracht Frankfurt are going all-in on Newcastle’s Will Osula, meanwhile. Links with Juventus and Roma are yet to develop either. As such, while it is too soon to suggest it is Milan or nothing for Fullkrug, there does appear to be a worrying lack of alternatives.
Franculino Dju injury puts potential Midtjylland deal in major doubt
Talking about a worrying lack of alternatives, Nuno Espirito Santo saw one potential Fullkrug replacement scrubbed off the list this week.
Franculino Dju of FC Midtjylland will be out for up to four months after he, like Gimenez, was forced to undergo surgery.
In addition, Joshua Zirkzee seems keen to stay at Manchester United, Al-Hilal have rejected a bid for Marcos Leonardo, and Promise ‘Baby Lukaku’ David is reportedly in no rush to leave Union Saint-Gilloise.
Cruzeiro’s Brazilian poacher Kaio Jorge has reservations about a return to Europe, meanwhile. He barely got a game during a forgettable spell at Juventus. The phrase ‘once bitten, twice shy’ comes to mind.
“To be honest, I’m not even thinking about [the transfer rumours]. I hope to be playing in the Copa Libertadores here. But that’s for the board to decide,” a bullish Kaio Jorge said in late-November. “I leave it in their hands to define the next step.
“My heart is very happy here. Today, I am very happy at Cruzeiro. Football is dynamic, full of opportunities. I hope to continue scoring goals and stay for a long time.
“If ‘Pedrinho’ [president Pedro Laurenco] wants to renew, we will sit down and talk. I’m very happy and it’s a source of pride to score goals wearing this shirt.”
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