You know a transfer is heading in the right direction – as is the case with Niclas Fullkrug’s proposed move from West Ham United to AC Milan – when reporters are already predicting the date of his debut for his new employers.
Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri remained coy when asked about those Fullkrug talks on Wednesday.
Behind the scenes, though, a resolution appears to be edging closer and closer.
West Ham reportedly expect deal to be reached ‘soon’, according to German publication BILD. Milan have agreed to meet Fullkrug’s wage demands as well. All that remains, it seems, is for West Ham United and the seven-time European Champions to thrash out the finer details.
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For instance, will Niclas Fullkrug move to San Siro on loan without an option or obligation-to-buy clause? The Hammers would obviously rather guarantee themselves a permanent departure later down the line.
Milan, though, may prefer a temporary deal with Juventus’ out-of-contract hitman Dusan Vlahovic already lined up next summer.
Carlo Pellegatti, the experienced reporter and Milan News columnist, would not be surprised to see the Scudetto chasers reach an agreement within 72 hours of Christmas day. A Serie A debut away to Cagliari on January 2nd, he says on his official YouTube channel, may also be a realistic possibility.
Niclas Fullkrug could leave West Ham United for AC Milan this December
While Serie A rivals Roma are focusing on younger options in attack, Allegri is reportedly happy to accept an ageing, experienced number nine as he looks to secure the club something of a quick-fix in the final third.
“Milan are confident they can secure Fullkrug on December 26th or 27th,” Pellegatti says. “He should be at Milanello [the training ground] on the 26th and then be available to Allegri in the new year.”
“The possibility of West Ham striker Fullkrug arriving in Milan seems very plausible, as he could arrive before the end of the year. He’s ready to make himself available, even on the bench, for the trip to Cagliari.
“The German is a signing with a few question marks but, today, there’s no point in being too picky. Either he arrives or, for now, no one arrives. And Milan need reinforcements.”
Santiago Gimenez injury rules out the prospect of Fullkrug swap
While West Ham target Franculino Dju suffered a long-term injury this week – the FC Midtjylland talisman faces four months on the sidelines – Milan are in even greater need for a new centre-forward after losing Santiago Gimenez.
Former Feyenoord ace Gimenez was linked with the Hammers himself recently. He underwent surgery on Thursday, though, and will be unavailable for the foreseeable future.
“Gimenez had a medical consultation and was advised to undergo surgery,” Allegri, who won five straight Serie A titles as coach of Juventus between 2015 and 2019, said ahead of Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana semi-final clash with Napoli on Thursday night.
“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.”
Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos of Lazio is a potential replacement
West Ham face Manchester City on Saturday.
With Fullkrug likely to be on the bench again, Callum Wilson will hope to force his way back into Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting XI. Wilson has joined the German on the sidelines for both of the last two Premier League matches, with Jarrod Bowen or Lucas Paqueta forced to moonlight as a number nine in their absence.
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While Gimenez is not on his way to East London, further reports from Italy suggest that West Ham may have a shot at Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos with Lazio allegedly looking for around £22 million.
“[Lazio coach Maurizio] Sarri would do it. If you sell Castellanos to West Ham for 25 million euros and take [Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo] Raspadori on loan, it can be done,” Guilio Cardone told Radio Sei.
“At the same time, we’ve seen Taty at his best. For the rest, what matters is what Sarri wants. And he would prefer the Italian [Raspadori].”
Castellanos scored 14 goals for Lazio in all competitions last season.
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