It seems strange to suggest that Niclas Fullkrug’s departure from West Ham United and the Premier League may ‘finally’ be moving in the right direction.
As of the time of writing, only four doors are open on your correspondent’s Christmas calendar, after all.
The January transfer window is still over three weeks away. Yet, the avalanche of rejections appeared to bury Niclas Fullkrug’s hopes of a winter move under a mountain of snow.
Eintracht Frankfurt are pursuing Newcastle’s Will Osula over West Ham United’s goal-shy centre-forward. According to reports, Frankfurt already have an agreement in place regarding the Tyneside-based Dane, having come close to signing Osula over the summer.
Augsburg may struggle to afford Fullkrug’s wages. Champions League-chasing Stuttgart appear to have ruled themselves out. Over in Italy, Max Allegri is keeping the faith in Santiago Gimenez amid reports of a January swap deal.
And, according to Tuttomercatoweb, Scudetto challengers Roma have no plans to sign Fullkrug at this stage either.
Reports coming out of Germany ahead of West Ham’s trip to Manchester United on Thursday night, then, will be music to the ears of a side who appear keen to wash their hands and cut their losses with a striker who has set the Hammers back £9 million per goal in the Premier League.
Niclas Fullkrug boosted in West Ham United exit chase as Wolfsburg make their move
Kicker report that VFL Wolfsburg are now ‘seriously considering’ bringing Fullkrug back to the Bundesliga.
In stark contrast to Roma and Frankfurt, who appear to want a younger, more mobile option up top, underperforming Wolfsburg are looking for experience and a proven track record in Germany’s first division.
Fullkrug, 32 and a scorer of 56 Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen and Nurnberg, certainly fits the bill.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
Kicker insist that the talks are ‘not yet at an advanced stage’. But they believe that the stars are aligning. Wolfsburg want him, Fullkrug wants to leave, and West Ham will presumably have few qualms about selling for the right price.
A return to the Bundesliga looms for former Dortmund targetman
There is also the situation of Jonas Wind’s future.
Wolfsburg’s Denmark international frontman is out of contract next year. And, having lost his spot as their main centre-forward, he appears keen on a fresh start. Thus, opening the door for Fullkrug to take his place at the Volkswagen Arena.
“There’s not much time left, and this is close to Wolfsburg’s last chance to get at least some money for me,’ Wind told TV2 last month. “That last opportunity comes in the winter. I know that, and of course Wolfsburg know it too.
“Whether it will happen in the winter or next summer is hard to say. It depends on what opportunities come up. I’m quite sure the club understands this is the last chance.”
Wind has since been ruled out ‘indefinitely’ after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury. While this may ruin his chances of a winter move, it should only increase Wolfsburg’s desire to bring in another number nine at the earliest opportunity.
Ivan Toney, Franculino and Jean-Philippe Mateta shortlisted
In terms of potential replacements at the London Stadium, it is no secret that Brentford legend Ivan Toney is the preferred choice of many West Ham fans.
But according to Al-Ahli sporting director Rui Pedro Braz, there is no intention amongst the Saudi Pro League outfit to let him go any time soon.
“Ivan Toney is a top player, a top striker,” Braz says. “The rumours around his possible exit in January are not based on reality.
“It’s just not true. We’re counting on him, it makes zero sense to address this subject in November.”
West Ham made an offer for Franculino Dju of FC Mitdjylland over the summer and could return for him in the new year. Hammers News have been told that West Ham are sensationally tracking Jean-Philippe Mateta amid uncertainty surrounding his future at Crystal Palace.
A £20 million bid has been lodged for Marcos Leonardo of Al-Hilal too, according to a top transfer source close to Hammers News.
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