Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sun 22 March 2026 19:10, UK

Niclas Fullkrug may return to West Ham United in the summer as a transfer to AC Milan has been dismissed.

The German forward left the London Stadium in the winter transfer window on loan with an option for the Italian side to purchase him.

That option is understood to be worth around £4.3million, but the seven-time European champions are not expected to pick it up.

A report from Goal on 22 March poured cold water on those prospects, with Andrea Longoni saying after the 3-2 win over Torino: “He certainly won’t be staying: he cost nothing, but it was still reasonable to expect a bit more.”

Fullkrug’s future at West Ham will be a complicated situation, but it appears that the San Siro giants will not be involved.

What is Fullkrug’s contract situation at West Ham?

Fullkrug signed a four-year contract when he joined West Ham, in a £27million deal from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024.

That deal is scheduled to run until 30 June 2028, if he sees it out and stays in East London until it expires.

That seems like an unlikely conclusion, given how his time with the E20 outfit has gone so far, which is well and truly miserable for all parties involved.

What does Fullkrug earn at West Ham?

Fullkrug is understood to be on around £54,000-per-week at AC Milan, per Daniele Longo, and if that is his full wage being covered, that would put him firmly in the middle of the Hammers’ wage structure.

If he remains with the Irons until his contract expires, they will have to fork out around £5.6m in the next two seasons, if the £54,000-per-week figure is accurate.

That seems like a ridiculous amount for a player who has scored just three goals for the club since his move from the Bundesliga.

What is the solution for the Hammers?

The solution seems obvious for David Sullivan and Co, find someone who is willing to take Fullkrug off the books for once and for all.

Whether that is a loan that covers his full wage, or a permanent exit for a fee, it does not matter, he needs to leave as soon as possible for the benefit of everyone involved in the situation.

If Milan are not willing to stump up the cash, the Hammers must find someone else who is willing to take him.

It is clearly not going to work out for the 33-year-old in English football, so the best move for all parties is an exit.