As far as Niclas Fullkrugโs agent is concerned, the Germany international may already be coming towards the end of his Premier League career in the colours of West Ham United.
Fifteen months after joining from Borussia Dortmund in a reported ยฃ27 million deal โ though former technical directorย Tim Steidten insists the actual price-tag was a bit lowerย โย Niclas Fullkrugย has a grand total of 11 top-flight starts and just three goals to his name.
Those miserable numbers are unlikely to improve any time soon, either. At least, not beforeย West Ham Unitedย host Burnley in a proverbial six-pointer next Saturday.
Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed Fullkrugโs returnย to on-grass training ahead of the 3-1 victory over Newcastle. But with only one match between now and the November international break, Christmas trees may be up and Slade may be singing by the time he is back on a Premier League team sheet.
Thorsten Wirth, the 32-year-oldโs agent, told theย TOMorrow Business Podcastย this week thatย Fullkrug may look to leave West Hamย in the near future, too. Perhaps as early as the January transfer window.
But, as Hammers News have learned, the veteran beanpole is unlikely to have things all his own way.
West Ham United make decision on potential Niclas Fullkrug sale
Fullkrug has only slightly less than three years remaining on the long-term contract he signed back in 2025. In hindsight, a four-year deal probably made little sense for either party.
And, as chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey tells Hammers News, West Ham will not let Fullkrug leave in the New Year unless they have a replacement lined up.
Despite failing to score a single goal this season, and despite the fact that West Hamโs most fluid, threatening performance of the campaign came in his absence, a relegation-threatened outfit are wary of leaving themselves short of bodies in such a key department.
โI am told they wonโt let [Fullkrug] out unless someone comes in, as we expected,โ Bailey says.
Furthermore, signing a replacement is also a challenge fraught with difficulties.
Asย Hammers Newsย reported back in October, and like with Mohammed Kudusโ controversial summer move to Tottenham Hotspur,ย West Ham may sacrifice Lucas Paquetaย should their admittedly-hefty ยฃ60 million asking price be reached.
โWest Ham have issues in terms of having to raise funds to buy, so that does mean that inevitably the big names and most sellable assets are going to be linked [with moves away],โ Bailey said.
โIf someone comes in with this asking price, which is around ยฃ60 million I am told, then, yeah, he could go.โ
Real Madrid benchwarmer Endrick looks set for Lyon. A combination of his ยฃ100,000-a-week wages, plus a loan fee, meansย the Brazilian teenager is out of West Hamโs reach.
Furthermore, as David Ornstein tellsย NBC Sports,ย Manchester United have no plans to let Joshua Zirkzee goย in January. Ivan Toney is expected to stay in Saudi Arabia. And one suspects thatย Sean Dyche will look to keep Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest, having worked with the New Zealand frontman so closely at Burnley.
Thorsten Wirth explains Fullkrugโs Premier League struggles
Callum Wilson started in Fullkrugโs absence as Eddie Howeโs team were beaten in East London. He, and a 20-year-old Callum Marshall, are the only senior centre-forwards at Nunoโs disposal right now.
โ[A sale] always has to happen in coordination with the club, but I think it might make sense to make a change,โ Wirth said, highlighting the niggling injuries which have prevented Fullkrug from building up steam.
โMany would probably agree that Niclas is a classic penalty-area striker โ strong in the air, physically powerful, able to shield the ball โ basically made for the Premier League.
โ[But] in retrospect, you have to say the transfer didnโt work. Thereโs no sugar-coating it.
โTime and again, just when you thought, โnow heโs coming, now heโll show England it wasnโt just a good Euro and then nothing afterwardsโ, another injury came. And thatโs a shame.
โHeโs had a bit of negative momentum and also some bad luck.โ
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