West Ham United in talks with Niclas Fullkrug amid Tim Steidten connection as fee emerges
Niclas Fullkrug and West Ham technical director Tim Steidten know and respect each other but the striker is still currently undecided on joining the club, Patrick Berger reports.
According to the Sky Sports Germany journalist via X on 31 July Borussia Dortmund were planning to keep the 31-year-old for the new season but would consider offers of around €25million to €30million [£21.1m to £25.3m] to let him go before the window shuts.
Steidten wanted to sign the German international to the London Stadium a year ago when he was still at Werder Bremen and there is a connection between the two.
Talks have already been held with the player and his camp with figures already discussed for personal terms.
West Ham want Dortmund striker after Jhon Duran frustration
The fee isn’t tiny by any means but shouldn’t break the bank at the London Stadium when progress on other moves is so slow.
Steidten needs to strengthen in multiple areas for Julen Lopetegui and while Fullkrug wouldn’t be a very long-term option at his age he could be the immediate answer the club needs.
He scored 15 goals and laid on 10 assists between the Bundesliga and the run to the Champions League final in his first season in Dortmund, having netted 17 and 19 in his final two campaigns at Bremen.
The Irons could have done with him arriving a year ago when Steidten was unable to secure a replacement for Gianluca Scamacca all the way up to the deadline and David Moyes ended up using Jarrod Bowen up front amid injuries to Michail Antonio.
But Lopetegui will have to hope the familiarity between the two Germans helps get a deal done at the second attempt with striker a clear priority.
Frustrations in failing to secure top target Jhon Duran from Aston Villa [The Athletic, 12 July] should also be eased if a move is possible for around half the £40m asking price of the Colombian.
As a veteran international costing less than a blockbuster amount there may be less pressure following the deal if Fullkrug comes in, potentially reducing the chances of him joining Sebastien Haller and Scamacca as big-money goal scorers who were unable to live up to their billing.
In other West Ham news, there is now “confidence” that a defensive sighing can be concluded as well.
For more West Ham news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.