The fee West Ham will receive for a permanent Niclas Fullkrug move has now been disclosed as a deal is struck with Italian giants AC Milan.
Niclas Fullkrug is on the verge of leaving West Ham as the latest in a long line of striker flops after a deal was agreed with AC Milan overnight.
The Hammers are in the market to sign at least one new striker in the January transfer window.
Fullkrug’s departure leaves Nuno Espirito Santo with the ageing and injury-prone Callum Wilson as his only senior striker option.
Given the grave situation the Hammers find themselves in, stuck in the relegation zone, that does not bode well for the second half of the season.
West Ham fee for permanent Fullkrug move disclosed
So it is imperative West Ham find a striker or two and get their recruitment right in an area the club has consistently failed since the arrival of David Sullivan in 2010.
The Hammers have signed 57 strikers in the near 16 years since with a limited number proving successful.
Niclas Fullkrug is Milan-bound! ✈️ 🇮🇹
What deal would you have been happy with? And who should replace him?
Fullkrug was the latest in a long line of flops and it brings into question the wisdom and record of former technical director Tim Steidten.
West Ham spent £27m to sign a slow, immobile 32-year-old with a lengthy history of serious injuries.
And they got exactly what many expected.
Fullkrug has spent the vast majority of his time at West Ham out injured and has contributed just three goals.
The former Dortmund man never settled in London according to reports and Hammers News revealed recently West Ham have been unimpressed by Fullkrug’s lack of effort in cameos under Nuno.
He is the latest example of West Ham’s woeful recruitment in recent years.
Often as a direct result of their poor – or lack of – due diligence, the Hammers are also renowned for being equally dismal when it comes to selling players on too.
Earlier this week it was revealed that the Hammers were close to agreeing another terrible ‘cheap’ deal for Fullkrug to join Milan.
West Ham strike buy option deal with AC Milan for Fullkrug
It was claimed West Ham could only get the Serie A side to sign up to a straight loan with his wages covered and no chance to make it permanent.
Given his injury record that would represent a huge risk for West Ham.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
Now the soon-to-be 33-year-old is on his way out of the club and there has been a twist overnight.
Because the West Ham fee for a permanent Fullkrug move has been disclosed as a deal is struck with AC Milan.
According to Italian transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, a deal for Fullkrug to leave West Ham for Milan was agreed on Friday night.
And West Ham have managed to get a clause inserted into the loan deal for some permanency.
According to Romano, Milan – who originally just wanted Fullkrug on loan to cover for the injured Santiago Gimenez – have now agreed to an option to buy.
The buy option is not an obligation but if Fullkrug hits it off then it does at least give West Ham hope of clawing some money back.
As well as covering Fullkrug’s full wages, the Hammers have struck a deal whereby Milan will pay around £12.5-13.5m to sign the German permanently in the summer if they take up their option.
Romano says the deal is now close with only final details to be sorted as the two clubs look to get the move sealed.
The reporter says Fullkrug said ‘yes’ to Milan ‘days ago’.
Now Hammers must get Fullkrug replacement right
Many Milan fans feel Fullkrug is a ‘decent option’ given the circumstances.
Few West Ham supporters would agree after his abysmal 18 months in east London.
While undoubtedly a high level finisher, Fullkrug has become better known for featuring in club videos behind the scenes than on the pitch.
All eyes now turn to who West Ham will sign to replace him.
And a journalist duo have named the five strikers West Ham have actually made enquiries for with the window opening in 12 days.
One thing is for certain, the Hammers must get their Fullkrug replacement right.
Because the club’s Premier League survival depends on it.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
