Niclas Fullkrug set for West Ham United exit already as Juventus talks revealed
Niclas Fullkrug’s father is in talks with Juventus ahead of a January exit from West Ham United, according to Ciro Venerato.
The German international scored a consolation goal in the 4-1 loss against Manchester City on Saturday (4 January) after the Irons were scrutinised for sanctioning his signing last summer.
However, Italian journalist Venerato revealed to TuttoJuve [5 January] that Juventus have reached out to West Ham for a potential January transfer and have already opened talks with the player’s father.
He said: “There is a new name that concerns Juventus. A few hours ago, the sporting director of Juventus Cristiano Giuntoli had a conversation with the father of the German striker Niclas Fullkrug, who plays for West Ham.”
Juventus want to sign Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham United
Despite reports from Il Bianco Nero (9 December) that European giants Juventus were reluctant to pursue Fullkrug in January, the stance has changed in Turin.
Thiago Motta was believed to be unconvinced that the 31-year-old would suit his style of play in Serie A but has now greenlit the move.
While the Serie A giants have decided on a remarkable U-turn on the forward, the Irons’ stance will remain unchanged – he will not be allowed to leave in January.
Julen Lopetegui is missing Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen at the London Stadium and Fullkrug remains the only senior option capable of leading the line for the Hammers.
He may have endured a frustrating start to life in the Premier League with injuries affecting his playing time, but the German will undoubtedly be given the keys to the Irons attack in the coming weeks.
The initial reluctance from Juventus to decide upon the move should be enough clarification for Fullkrug to stick it out in East London and aim to prove his £27million acquisition from Borussia Dortmund was a successful move.
West Ham will undoubtedly be active in the market to ease the ongoing injury concerns in attack, but any new recruits will be sought to challenge Fullkrug rather than replace the forward.
In other West Ham news, Chelsea are ready to sanction a sale to the Hammers.
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