West Ham United face risk of Niclas Fullkrug hijack from heavyweight rivals amid Dortmund talks
West Ham face competition from European heavyweights including Atletico Madrid and AC Milan as they follow through on their attempts to sign Niclas Fullkrug, according to Patrick Berger.
The Sky Sports Germany journalist reported via X on 31 July that Bundesliga side Stuttgart are also interested in the striker along with the two giants from La Liga and Serie A.
Fullkrug has emerged as the Irons’ alternative to Jhon Duran after being frustrated in their pursuit of the Aston Villa man.
Tim Steidten tried to sign the Borussia Dortmund man last summer when he was still at Werder Bremen, but Dharmesh Sheth has now reported for Sky Sports in the UK (31 July) that there is a “growing feeling” that the deal can be done this time, talks progressing well.
Atletico Madrid and AC Milan pose transfer risk to West Ham
Steidten will have to take the threat seriously as he has already seen more targets than he would like to count slip through his grasp during this window.
Tammy Abraham is reported by the Italian branch of Sky Sports (30 July) to have rejected advances from the London Stadium because he is holding out for a switch to the San Siro, just like Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana [Give Me Sport, 29 July], so Milan’s presence has the potential to be a growing headache in the Hammers’ attempts to finally land a striker.
If a deal can be done for an asking price of just over £21million there is a lot to like about the move for two or three seasons.
There is arguably less risk than there would have been had Steidten and Julen Lopetegui paid the £40m Villa want [James Nursey, 22 July] for the talented but unproven top target Duran [The Athletic, 12 July].
Fullkrug has a record of better than a goal every two games at international level (13 in 21 caps for Germany) and is coming off three consecutive seasons with at least 15 club goals.
It is impossible to tell how any player will take to their Premier League until they arrive but his style seems fairly well suited.
But after Abraham joined the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo [Gazzetta dello Sport, 8 July] and Fofana in preferring to move elsewhere it is important for Steidten to ensure Fullkrug actually makes it to England in the first place.
In other West Ham news, a medical update has emerged on a long-term Irons target as he is set to move for a bargain price.
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