Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Thu 9 April 2026 15:10, UK

West Ham United flop Niclas Fullkrug may be about to secure a dream move.

Since moving to the London Stadium from Borussia Dortmund for £27million back in 2024, he has made just 29 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.

As a result, he was shipped out on loan to Serie A heavyweights AC Milan during the winter transfer window in a deal that also included a bargain option to buy.

However, he has also flattered to deceive at the San Siro and won’t be staying for the long-term, having netted just once in his first 15 matches and been restricted to mere cameos.

Fullkrug will return to West Ham, but it won’t be long before he leaves – this time for good.

Niclas Fullkrug’s AC Milan nightmare in numbers

Unfortunately, the 33-year-old only has himself to blame. He hasn’t done the business, and with Milan set to compete in the Champions League next season, they must upgrade.

Not even the meagre £4.3million buy option has tempted Massimiliano Allegri, which will saddle West Ham with Fullkrug and his truly dismal statistics in the summer.

The ace has played 15 Serie A matches this term, starting just three of them. His only goal to date came in Milan’s 1-0 win against Lecce in January, via a trademark header.

But he has been poor on the floor, taking just 15 shots and directing five on target. Fullkrug has also been successful with just 71.9 per cent of his passes across the pitch.

Slow off the mark and woefully equipped for the pace of the top-flight, he has been successful with only 40 per cent of his dribbles, while his 40.7 win rate in duels is abysmal.

The only upside is that he won’t be West Ham’s problem for much longer.

Who could Fullkrug join next?

According to Italian publication Calciomercato, Fullkrug could be set to join 2. Bundesliga side Schalke 04. It is said that contact has already taken place with the misfiring frontman.

Should the club secure promotion to the Bundesliga, he would be an attractive and cost-effective option, particularly with Edin Dzeko’s future beyond the summer uncertain.

Either way, West Ham won’t mind where he ends up too much, just as long as he’s gone.

His big-money switch to East London quickly became a nightmare from which they must learn their lessons, lick their wounds and move on as quickly as possible.