Niclas Fullkrug ‘considering options’ amid behind-the-scenes West Ham update
West Ham United must be prepared to cut their losses on Niclas Fullkrug as he is surely considering his options away from the London Stadium.
The Irons signed Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund for £27million in the summer, with the centre-forward putting pen to paper on a four-year contract [BBC].
Shelling out such an amount on a 31-year-old and handing him a deal until 2028 raised some eyebrows, and rightly so.
The Germany international is aware of this himself, as he was questioned about the fee on the eingeDEICHt podcast in October when he described it as a “gigantic” appreciation from the East London outfit.
He also explained how Tim Steidten was the driving force behind the transfer and even described West Ham as “Tim’s club”.
Six months after his arrival, Fullkrug is now nursing a hamstring injury that is keeping him sidelined for the foreseeable future [Premier Injuries], while Steidten is no longer at the club.
Niclas Fullkrug seeking escape route from West Ham after Tim Steidten exit
On Tuesday (4 January), West Ham announced a piece of news that had been long-time coming, confirming Steidten’s exit as their technical director.
The German transfer guru fell out with Julen Lopetegui in his final days as the Hammers head coach, while new boss Graham Potter has brought in long-term ally Kyle Macaulay as the club’s new head of recruitment.
That means Steidten has essentially been forced out of the club – something that could soon prove to be the case for Fullkrug.
Potter signed Evan Ferguson on loan until the end of the season in the recently concluded transfer window, meaning Fullkrug may not even have enough chances to impress the head coach when he returns from his injury.
Even if West Ham decide to keep the striker beyond this season, the player will surely be considering his options, especially on the back of Steidten’s departure.
It is worth noting that this is Fullkrug’s first stint away from Germany, and it is clearly not going to plan.
While you never know what football has in store, chances are that the Germany international will be playing his trade back in his home country next season.
In other West Ham news, Danny Murphy is prepared for wrath from Irons fans after what he recently said.
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