West Ham United’s hopes of moving on unpopular striker Niclas Fullkrug may have just got harder as two potential destinations are at risk of disappearing for the Germany international.
There was no lack of interest in Fullkrug despite a poor loan spell at AC Milan in the second half of last season.
But finding a club willing to match the striker’s wage demands – he reportedly earns £90,000-a-week at West Ham United – may be a different story altogether.
What would YOU do with Niclas Fullkrug next season?
A Bundesliga return looks unlikely and AC Milan have walked away…
In January, former employers Werder Bremen ruled out a move for the ex-Bundesliga stalwart for financial reasons. Werder were linked again in the opening weeks of the summer, though it seems we can now draw a firm line through that.
Ambitious Serie A newcomers Venezia also appear to have hit a brick wall. Where West Ham and Niclas Fullkrug go from here, then, is anyone’s guess.
West Ham United are struggling to move Niclas Fullkrug on
Over the weekend, Werder Bremen confirmed the signing of Cedric Itten from Fortuna Dusseldorf. At 6ft 3ins and at the age of 29, the former Rangers targetman surely brings an end to Werder’s pursuit of an experienced, physically-imposing number nine.
Itten, who scored 15 goals in 30 2.Bundesliga matches last season, will earn much lower wages at the Weser Stadion than Fullkrug would have commanded.
“We wanted to bring Niclas Fullkrug back,” Managing Director Clemens Fritz told Sport BILD a few months ago. “I spoke to him two or three times when he was at West Ham United. But we knew that, from an economic perspective, our chances were very slim.”
According to Italian reporter Nicolo Schira, meanwhile, Fullkrug has turned his nose up at an offer from Serie B newcomers Venezia.
“WestHam’s striker Niclas Fullkrug doesn’t seem convinced by Venezia’s bid,” he wrote a few days ago. “There is no agreement, as of now transfers.”
Venezia do not appear ready to give up just yet.
The problem for West Ham, Niclas Fullkrug and his various admirers, though, is that this is a striker earning A-list money. A striker who, with four league goals in 46 games since leaving Borussia Dortmund for East London, is seemingly only good enough these days for C-list clubs.
Fullkrug needs to ‘look in the mirror’ after AC Milan disaster
“Things didn’t work out at West Ham. And we all hoped that by joining AC Milan in the second half of the season, he’d get more playing time,” former Germany forward Patrick Helmes told MilanNews following a dismal stint at San Siro.
Which Championship fixture are you most excited for in 2026/27 — and why? ⚽
Millwall? Wrexham? Charlton? Or someone else? Tell us your pick! 👀
“But things didn’t work out, and he failed to make an impact at AC Milan. One goal for a striker is too little.
“The club gave him this platform to express himself and the chance to score. And ultimately, if you don’t do that, you have to take responsibility. And in the long run, he’s simply not playing well.
“This isn’t the club’s or his teammates’ fault. Fullkrug should take a look in the mirror.”
West Ham reportedly agreed on a buy-out clause worth around £5 million with AC Milan just after Christmas. A clause that would obviously go un-triggered. Still, that is an indication as to how dramatically his value has dropped just two years on from his £27 million arrival in the English capital.
A permanent exit would do little to ease the Hammers’ financial concerns, on paper. But getting his £90,000-a-week contract off the wage bill would be a step in the right direction.
The Hammers’ best hope right now may be an offer from Turkey, the MLS or the Middle East. As of yet, though, such offers have not arrived.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
