Niclas Fullkrug out, Pablo and Valentin Castellanos in. As transfer windows go, Premier League strugglers West Ham United could hardly have made a speedier start to 2026.
Gil Vicente head coach Cesar Peixoto all-but confirmed Pablo’s impending arrival at the London Stadium on Thursday. The 21-year-old centre-forward is expected to join West Ham United for around £17.5 million.
Fittingly, given that Nuno Espirito Santo and Iberian super-agent Jorge Mendes are taking control in the recruitment department following the short-lived reign of Graham Potter and Kyle Macaulay, the first addition of the new era is a talented youngster from Portuguese football.
Pablo looks set to be West Ham’s first signing of January…💪
What are YOUR thoughts on this deal?
Pablo reportedly arrived in London yesterday. It remains to be seen if he can be registered in time for Saturday’s trip to bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And, as reported by club insider ExWHUemployee, West Ham are set to sign Lazio hitman Castellanos too, for a further £27 million. Presuming both Pablo and Castellanos fare better than those who have come before – a low bar indeed – the AC Milan-bound Niclas Fullkrug will not only be replaced but upgraded upon less than 48 hours after the opening of the window.
Max Allegri says Niclas Fullkrug could make AC Milan debut tonight after leaving West Ham United
AC Milan are yet to officially confirm the arrival of the former Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen targetman.
But, speaking to the media as Italian football returns following the winter break, Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that the West Ham flop should be available to make his Serie A debut against Cagliari on Friday night.
“Fullkrug arrived immediately and will be available [for the 7.45pm kick-off in Sardinia],” Allegri said. “I’m very happy with his arrival.
“We need to know that we need to raise the bar now. The further we go [into the season], the less time we have to recover. [Fullkrug] will be on the bench.”
Allegri reportedly expressed doubts about Fullkrug and his injury record when talks with the seven-time European Champions ramped up last month. Now, a man who won five Serie A titles as head coach of Juventus was never likely to admit to those doubts publicly.
But given that Fullkrug started only 11 Premier League matches in a year-and-a-half, scoring only three goals in the process, it is understandable that Allegri may have serious reservations about the 33-year-old’s ability to make a speedy impact.
“I had dinner with Allegri, and he didn’t seem very convinced [about Fullkrug],” Italian reporter Massimo Brambati told Tuttomercatoweb. “Not so much because of the player’s value but because of his physical problems.
“Bringing in a player who might not always be available is a problem. This player’s history says so.”
With a Milan debut possible as early as this evening, though, Fullkrug should have the chance to silence his critics right from the off.
Gil Vicente coach explains why Pablo is well-suited to the Premier League
As for West Ham, that Wolves clash feels distinctly make-or-break for their hopes of avoiding the drop. Win at Molineux and, as long as Nottingham Forest lose against dark horses Aston Villa, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will head to the City Ground on January 6th with a chance to leapfrog Sean Dyche’s team into 17th.
If that Wolves trip comes too soon for Pablo – the Hammers are set to face a side featuring Jorgen Strand Larsen, the £40 million-rated striker they made a move for late last month – the Braga-born hotshot is almost certain to be available against Forest.
How do you FEEL as West Ham move away from Jorgen Strand Larsen?
Overpriced at £40m? Or a potential one-that-got-away?
“I’m not the one to announce this kind of situation. What I can say is that Pablo didn’t train [with the Gil Vicente squad on Thursday],” the aforementioned Cesar Peixoto told reporters. “And things are being handled between the clubs.
“If [the transfer] materialises, we will be happy and proud because he is a player who grew up with us and is part of Gil Vicente’s project to develop the team.
“We wish him the best of luck.
“Pablo has become a very complete player. He’s strong in supporting the attack, in attacking the box, and works very hard for the team.
“He has a lot of pace for the Premier League.”
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