While talks with West Ham United are progressing, it appears that not everyone at AC Milan is totally on board with the signing of Niclas Fullkrug this January.
Fullkrug is opting for a fresh start in Italy over a Bundesliga return with VFL Wolfsburg.
Milan have reached an agreement on wages already, while West Ham reportedly expect the deal to be completed ‘soon’, per German publication BILD.
It is believed the Rossoneri shifted their focus towards Niclas Fullkrug after it emerged that Joshua Zirkzee – who ironically has been linked with West Ham United himself – would rather stay and fight for his place at Manchester United.
But it also appears that Massimiliano Allegri, the man who has Milan fans dreaming of Scudetto glory once again, is not entirely convinced about the merits of signing a 33-year-old striker who has scored only three Premier League goals since the summer of 2024.
Niclas Fullkrug is Milan-bound! ✈️ 🇮🇹
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Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is worried about Niclas Fullkrug’s West Ham United record
Italian reporter Massimo Brambati spoke to Tuttomercatoweb on Thursday.
He revealed the details of his conversation he shared over a meal with Allegri, and spoke out about the manager’s reservations towards West Ham’s injury-hit number eleven.
“I had dinner with Allegri, and he didn’t seem very convinced [about Fullkrug],” Brambati says. “Not so much because of the player’s value but because of his physical problems.
“Bringing in a player who might not always be available is a problem. This player’s history says so.”
Fullkrug has started only eleven league games during his West Ham career. Since joining in a £27 million move from Borussia Dortmund, he has missed over 30 matches for club and country due to a variety of fitness issues.
Some have suggested that Milan would rather sign Fullkrug on loan, without an option or obligation-to-buy clause. The Rossoneri, who won the Serie A title in Allegri’s first spell over a decade ago, are waiting in the wings for Dusan Vlahovic’s Juventus contract to expire.
Brambati believes that Dusan Zapata, a reliable goalscorer in Italian football with the likes of Udinese, Sampdoria, Atalanta and Torino, is another Milan could look at as a short-term quick fix until Vlahovic is available on a free.
Milan need a replacement for the injured Santiago Gimenez
Interestingly, when asked about Fullkrug in the build-up to Milan’s 2-0 defeat by Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiano, Allegri indicated that much would depend on Santiago Gimenez.
Gimenez, who was briefly mentioned in a potential swap deal with Fullkrug, underwent surgery on Thursday and could face a prolonged period on the sidelines.
“Gimenez had a medical consultation and was advised to undergo surgery,” Allegri said.
“AC Milan’s transfer window is focused on recovering the available players. Then, we’ll see what we can do on the transfer market together with the club.”
Nuno Espirito Santo rues Fullkrug’s injury problems at West Ham
Despite Allegri’s doubts, things appear to be moving in the right direction though as far as the wantaway Fullkrug is concerned.
The Germany international is likely to be part of West Ham’s squad when Manchester City arrive on Saturday. Nuno believes that those injuries are to blame for Fullkrug’s miserable Premier League career, though he has now recovered from a knock which kept him out against Aston Villa last time out.
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“I can only speak [about things] since I arrived with the match against Everton,” Nuno said in his pre-Man City press conference, 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.”
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