Niclas Fullkrug appears to be a step closer to leaving West Ham and moving to AC Milan permanently in the January transfer window.
Fullkrug is set to leave West Ham after struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League since his move from Borussia Dortmund.
The 32-year-old has not played since the 2-0 loss against Liverpool on 30 November, when he came off the bench to feature for 12 minutes.
Niclas Fullkrug is Milan-bound! ✈️ 🇮🇹
What deal would you have been happy with? And who should replace him?
West Ham and AC Milan close to Fullkrug agreement
According to Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo, the deal between AC Milan and West Ham for the Germany international could be agreed upon in the next 24 hours.
It’s understood that it is a loan deal with an option and not an obligation to buy.
Milan will pay at least £10.5million if they are to sign Fullkrug permanently at the end of his loan spell in June.
The Hammers will be delighted by this development, as it seemed like Milan were prepared to walk away from the deal.
Max Allegri was then asked about Fullkrug, and like managers usually are, he remained non-committal about this deal.
Will Milan sign Fullkrug permanently?
Milan have not decided to go with an obligation to buy as they are not sure how Fullkrug fits into their system.
While Allegri will have a broad plan for the German, what happens in reality is a completely different thing altogether.
Niclas Fullkrug is expected to leave in January. What is your favourite moment of him in a West Ham shirt?
The Italian will be aware that the striker has struggled over the last 18 months, albeit in a more physical and fast-paced league.
If Fullkrug can hit the ground running in Italy and score around 10 goals in all competitions in the second half of the season, Milan are likely to exercise the option and secure his services permanently.
It remains to be seen whether or not he can adapt to life there in his mid-30s or if West Ham have to look for another club to sell him to in the summer.
One thing the Irons will have learned from his signing is not to sign strikers on big money once they are past their prime, as, more often than not, it does not work out.
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