With Niclas Fullkrug set for AC Milan and Luis Guilherme seemingly heading out the door as well, West Ham United are putting the ill-fated Tim Steidten era firmly in the rearview mirror.
The former technical director reportedly spent around £260 million during two years at the London Stadium.
Steidten was the ‘mastermind’ behind Niclas Fullkrug and the £27 million fee paid to Borussia Dortmund. Now, Milan could land Fullkrug for just £4.4 million should he impress during an initial loan spell at the Serie A title challengers.
In fact, Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme set West Ham United back over £50 million combined. In a year-and-a-half of Premier League football, the duo have scored just three goals and set up two more between them.
Fullkrug, by the way, is responsible for all five of those ‘goal contributions’.
What do you think about Luis Guilherme LEAVING West Ham? ✈️ 🇧🇷
Are they giving up on him too soon?
Fullkrug arrived in Italy on Tuesday as he prepares to undergo a medical at San Siro.
Luis Guilherme is not quite so close to a departure of his own, but there is interest from clubs in both Portugal and Turkey in the former Palmeiras winger.
Diogo Luis says Sporting Lisbon must sign West Ham United winger Luis Guilherme
According to Turkish publication Kuzey Expres, Besiktas have held talks regarding Luis Guilherme. The seldom-seen teenager has also been offered to 2022 Super Lig champions Trabzonspor by his representatives.
It appears that either Turkey or Portugal will be his destination as things stand. Sporting Lisbon may have an advantage over Besiktas due to the fact that the Aracaju-born Brazil Under-20 international already speaks the language.
In conversation with CNN Portugal this week, meanwhile, reporter Diogo Luis believes that Sporting should be excited by a potential winter addition. Guilherme’s flexibility and two-footedness, Luis says, could help fill a void created by Geovany Quenda’s impending £40 million move to Chelsea should Guilherme be snapped up on a permanent basis.
“Luis Guilherme has magic in his feet,” says Luis. “He fits into Rui Borges’ [tactical setup at the Estadio Jose Alvalade].
“He is a player who serves Sporting very well because he offers that technical flair and verticality that Quenda brings, but he is a player who needs a coach like Rui Borges to give him the confidence he lost in England.”
“Portugal is the ideal bridge [to continue his career].”
Guilherme could be replaced by Fulham speedster Adama Traore
Guilherme has started only one Premier League game this season. He was hauled off at half time in that rare opportunity, too, having struggled to make an impression in the absence of Crysencio Summerville and Lucas Paqueta during a 2-2 draw at AFC Bournemouth in November.
Opportunities are likely to be even more sparse in 2026. West Ham are expected to sign Adama Traore from Saturday’s opponents Fulham, after all.
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The uber-reliable David Ornstein believes the Hammers will make an offer for Traore in the very near future as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to reunite with a winger he got the best out of at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“I do think we could see some exits on the horizon [from Fulham]. West Ham, we’re hearing, could be coming in with an offer for Adama Traore,” Ornstein tells NBC Sports. “Of course, Nuno Espirito Santo managed him at Wolves.
“And [Fulham’s most in-form forward] Harry Wilson, despite his form, there are a lot of clubs looking at him.”
Wilson is expected to be passed fit to take on West Ham on December 27th despite picking up a knock in Monday’s 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
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