West Ham have managed to find a new way to infuriate their supporters after an unbelievable late twist involving Niclas Fullkrug emerged.
The Hammers are desperately seeking reinforcements in the January transfer window as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to keep the club in the Premier League.
West Ham are effectively six points adrift of safety in the bottom three heading into their most crucial – and winnable – run of the season.
That coincides with the winter window opening in nine days and Hammers fans expect the club to have signings lined up given the gravity of the dire situation facing them.
Money has been tight for the Irons for the last year, ever since Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui wasted £155m on a botched rebuild.
Unbelievable late twist in West Ham’s Fullkrug deal
Around £27m of that went on Niclas Fullkrug, the latest in a long line of West Ham striker flops.
The German always looked a questionable signing with his lack of pace, mobility and record of serious injuries.
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And so he has proved to be, scoring a paltry three goals in 18 months and spending most of his time in the treatment room or featuring in West Ham YouTube videos.
When he did play, Fullkrug was completely out of his depth in the English game.
West Ham have been looking to move Fullkrug on and the player has been desperate to leave for some time.
That has shown in his attitude in recent performances too, barely moving or making any effort despite what is at stake for the club.
A loan deal was agreed with Milan on Monday and given the ‘here we go’ by Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano.
It is a poor deal from West Ham’s perspective as there is no loan fee with only an option to buy rather than an obligation.
West Ham will save around £100k per week in wages which are being covered by Milan.
But the move represents a massive risk for the Hammers given Fullkrug’s dismal injury record.
Somehow, though, the deal is even worse.
West Ham hit new low to infuriate fans
Because there has been an unbelievable late Fullkrug twist as West Ham hit a new low to infuriate fans.
What initially looked like another routinely poor deal by the Hammers has spiralled into another damning indictment on the club’s record in the transfer market.
It will leave fans once again left questioning the club’s direction and decision-making.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
While West Ham’s recruitment has been bad, they have an equally terrible record when it comes to offloading players too.
Even going back to selling Dimitri Payet and Marko Arnautovic – two of the best, most in-form players around at the time – for just £25m each.
Arsenal fans goad West Ham about ‘half price Declan Rice’ with David Moyes insisting the club should have got £150m for the midfielder instead of £105m.
Mohammed Kudus was sold for £30m less than his release clause to bitter rivals Spurs. The list goes on.
Now the Fullkrug loan can be added to it.
Over the weekend the fee Milan have agreed to pay if they opt to buy Fullkrug permanently was revealed.
It was claimed Milan would pay around £13m – half what the Hammers shelled out for the German flop.
Now two top Italian journalists have made a shocking revelation about the truth on the amount Milan will pay West Ham.
Matteo Moretto has claimed that Fullkrug has been having his Milan medical.
West Ham agree £23m hit on Fullkrug if Milan take up option
But the option to buy agreed with West Ham is not £13m – but instead it is just £4m.
That is a £23m hit on what the Hammers paid Dortmund less than 18 months ago.
Should Milan take up the £4m option, there is already an agreement on a contract for another season.
The latest development represents a fresh low point, piling further pressure on those in charge and deepening the growing sense of frustration around the London Stadium.
Especially with money being tight and very much needed to go towards making signings.
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