Nuno Espirito Santo would have known what was coming when he sat down to face the media ahead of West Ham United’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, Niclas Fullkrug’s future dominating plenty of column inches.
Nuno, of course, would rather focus on the immediate task at hand.
West Ham United have not beaten Manchester City since 2015, when Slaven Bilic was at the helm. But he knows that failing to get a result against Erling Haaland and co risks the Hammers spending Christmas day six points adrift of safety in the relegation zone.
Yet, much of the post-match discussion has been dominated by the future of one man; Niclas Fullkrug.
Can you work out the three MISSING PLAYERS from our 2-1 win over Man City in 2015? 🕵️♂️
A clue: Two of the these mystery men scored the goals for Slaven Bilic's side…
According to German publication BILD, West Ham expect an agreement to be reached ‘soon’ with their injury-hit, goal-shy £27 million centre-forward.
AC Milan have agreed personal terms with Fullkrug. Now, with Callum Wilson moving ahead of him in the pecking order and Jarrod Bowen or Lucas Paqueta moonlighting as a number nine in recent matches, the seemingly Serie A-bound targetman might have already played his final game on the Premier League stage.
Nuno Espirito Santo blames injuries for Niclas Fullkrug’s West Ham United struggles
Nuno Espirito Santo does not particularly like talking about transfers. Not when there are still three highly-important fixtures to come before the window opens.
What he would be drawn on, though, is why Fullkrug has struggled to make an impression as a West Ham player under three different managers. In total, he has started eleven top-flight games and scored just three goals during the reigns of Julen Lopetegui, David Moyes and now Nuno.
“I can only speak [about things] since I arrived with the match against Everton,” Nuno said, pointing out that Fullkrug started the first two games of the post-Potter era.
“I think what is denying him [the chance to make his mark] are these small injuries which keep putting him out. It’s very difficult for any player in the squad who hasn’t had the continuity of games, games, games to reach his best.
“Unfortunately, we have some situations with players who go out injured. It’s tough because you need minutes. When you don’t have them, it’s hard. But let’s hope for the best.”
Fullkrug may be available for Saturday’s Manchester City clash
After successive starts against Everton and Arsenal, Fullkrug then missed the next four matches with a torn thigh muscle. He was not in the squad against Manchester United or Aston Villa either. This means he has played just 28 minutes across two cameo appearances since October 4th.
Fullkrug did train with the rest of the first-team squad this week, though. A return to the matchday squad is likely against Manchester City. Nuno also indicates that the 33-year-old will not be omitted purely because of the speculation surrounding his future.
Niclas Fullkrug is expected to leave in January. What is your favourite moment of him in a West Ham shirt?
“All the players that are in the building are options as long as they are healthy, training well, and working well,” he adds. “Now, we make the decisions. We have many situations with players who have their own expectations, but all the noise, I try to ignore.
“What I see is what happens every day. Niclas joined the group today for the session. Let’s see how he is tomorrow.
“Regarding the noise around transfers, I’m not going to comment on that because I don’t know. I don’t know! I’m not in those conversations! It’s not that I don’t think about it, but my main focus is City, then Fulham, and Brighton.
“When the transfer window opens, we will deal with the situation. Now is not the moment to even think about it. It is time to focus on what is important, and what is important is that we have nine points to fight for before the transfer window opens.”
Serie A giants AC Milan could sign Fullkrug as early as next week
In an update provided by Milan News reporter Carlo Pellegatti this week, Fullkrug could become a Milan player as early as Boxing Day.
A Serie A debut on the second day of January away to Cagliari is potentially on the cards as well.
“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 [coach Massimiliano] 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.”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
