Milan Poised for a January Loan Move for Misfiring West Ham Striker Niclas Füllkrug
Milan are lining up a loan deal for Niclas Füllkrug, who is currently surplus to requirements at West Ham after a rocky spell at the London Stadium. The Germany international arrived in 2024 for £27.5m but has struggled to find form, and he isn’t in Nuno Espírito Santo’s plans.
Füllkrug has gone without a goal in nine appearances this season and was again left out of the matchday squad as West Ham fell 3-2 at home to Aston Villa. The 32-year-old hasn’t started a game since October 4, and many at West Ham view his arrival as one of the missteps of former technical director Tim Steidten.
The challenge for West Ham is the length of Füllkrug’s contract and his wages, which have deterred potential permanent suitors in January. A loan to Milan for the remainder of the season is regarded as a plausible option.
West Ham had hoped to move Füllkrug on during the summer, amid injury setbacks and a difficult adaptation to the Premier League. He has managed only three goals in 11 league starts for the club, and the club are looking to bring in a striker to challenge Callum Wilson.
Nuno Espírito Santo is seeking a seasoned English footballer to bolster the attack. While West Ham are monitoring Norwich’s Josh Sargent, their interest in the U.S. international isn’t advanced. Additionally, Nuno is seeking a centre-back. The club could free up funds for new signings by offloading James Ward-Prowse and Luis Guilherme, another signing from Steidten’s era. There may also be interest in Lucas Paquetá from club(s) in Brazil, potentially impacting West Ham’s transfer plans.