It is starting to sound more and more like Niclas Füllkrug and West Ham United are headed for a divorce.
Sure, it has been known for a while that the Hammers are prepared to consider offers for the 32-year-old forward. His departure has even been caked into future odds offered by soccer online betting sites.
Yet, for the most part, the situation has earned a to-be-determined designation. That is, until Füllkrug’s agent, Thorsten Wirth, recently dropped some bombshell sentiments that reveal his and his client’s true stance on the forward’s time with West Ham.
Asked during an appearance on the TOMorrow Business Podcast about speculation that Füllkrug actively wants off the Hammers, Wirth offered a blunt level of candor. “Many would probably agree with that, seeing Niclas as a classic penalty area striker,” he explained. “Strong in the air, physically strong, can shield the ball–so basically made for the Premier League. Looking back, we have to say the transfer didn’t work out. There’s no point in sugarcoating it.”
Pressed on the matter further, Wirth went as far as basically confirming he’s attempting to help Füllkrug find a new home. “This always has to happen in cooperation with the club, but I believe it can make sense to change something there.”
Sheesh.
To be fair, Wirth is not wrong about his overarching point. Füllkrug’s time with West Ham definitely has not gone according to plan. Last season, he missed six of the schedule’s nine months. This year, his availability and performance have been scattershot.
Of course, this does not appear as if it will dampen interest in Füllkrug. On the contrary, it seems that he may already have a new home lined up. The question is: Will West Ham cooperate?
Füllkrug Reportedly Already Has an Agreement in Place with Surprise Suitor
According to Football Italia’s Peter Young, there is an “agreement in principle” between Milan and the German forward. However, it is not yet clear if Milan also has any deal in place with West Ham.
Here is The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg with more on the situation:
“Milan are preparing a loan deal for Niclas Füllkrug, who is available after a disastrous spell at West Ham…Füllkrug, who has failed to score in nine appearances this season, was again left out of the matchday squad when Nuno’s struggling side lost 3-2 at home against Aston Villa on Sunday. The 32-year-old has not started since 4 October and his signing is regarded by West Ham as one of the worst mistakes made by their former technical director Tim Steidten…West Ham were keen to get Füllkrug off the books last summer. The forward has had a string of injury problems in England and has not adapted to the Premier League. He has managed only three goals in 11 league starts for West Ham, who want to bring in a striker to compete with Callum Wilson.”
Given how far down West Ham’s pecking order Füllkrug has slid, putting him on loan to Milan feels like a no-brainer. But a couple of challenges await.
First and foremost is the matter of Füllkrug’s salary. He is in the second season of a four-year, $18.7 million deal that many clubs have shown an aversion to bankrolling. If Milan is willing to pick up all or most of the tab, this could become a streamlined negotiation.
Then again, West Ham apparently has other stipulations, courtesy of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. As part of any loan agreement, he purportedly wants another striker with English football experience, as well as a centre back.
Füllkrug’s Future with West Ham Appears to be Etched in Stone
Regardless of how or when it happens, it feels like Füllkrug’s time with West Ham is speeding toward a close. If it doesn’t happen via an imminent transfer, it certainly seems inevitable prior to next season. The fit is too wonky at this point.
Some of the awkwardness can be chalked up to injuries and the contrasts in gameplay. But on the occasions in which Füllkrug has been healthy, he has hardly looked like himself, or even a silhouette of himself. Whether that’s an age or league thing remains to be seen.
Plenty of people are skeptical that Milan and West Ham will be able to find common ground. Rest assured, both sides are amply motivated to do so. Milan’s injuries on the frontline are piling up, and the Hammers clearly want nothing to do with Füllkrug’s salary or struggles.
Still, West Ham’s ability to fill or upgrade his spot looms over all of this. Transferring Füllkrug will not solve all of their issues. They need to have the budget left over to keep making moves.
To that end, their finances will be a harbinger of what’s to come. If it turns out they increase their transfer budget by jettisoning one or more of James Ward-Prowse, Luis Guilherme and Lucas Paquetá, then the offloading of Füllkrug, in all likelihood, will not be that far behind.
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