Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Jacob Steinberg

Milan plot January loan move for misfit West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug

Niclas Füllkrug in a West Ham shirt
Niclas Füllkrug has failed to score in nine appearances this season. Photograph: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Milan are preparing a loan deal for Niclas Füllkrug, who is available after a disastrous spell at West Ham. The Germany striker has toiled since moving to the London Stadium for £27.5m in the summer of 2024 and is not part of Nuno Espírito Santo’s plans.

Füllkrug, who has failed to score in nine appearances this season, was again left out of the matchday squad when Nuno’s struggling side lost 3-2 at home against Aston Villa on Sunday. The 32-year-old has not started since 4 October and his signing is regarded by West Ham as one of the worst mistakes made by their former technical director Tim Steidten.

The problem for West Ham is that Füllkrug joined from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal. His wages have made potential suitors reluctant to sign him on a permanent basis in January but it is understood a loan to Milan for the rest of the season is a possibility.

West Ham were keen to get Füllkrug off the books last summer. The forward has had a string of injury problems in England and has not adapted to the Premier League. He has managed only three goals in 11 league starts for West Ham, who want to bring in a striker to compete with Callum Wilson.

Nuno, whose side are in 18th place before visiting Manchester City on Saturday, wants a forward with experience of English football. West Ham are tracking Norwich’s Josh Sargent but their interest in the USA international is not advanced. Nuno also wants to sign a centre-back.

West Ham could increase their transfer budget by offloading James Ward-Prowse and Luis Guilherme, another failed Steidten signing. There could be offers from Brazil for Lucas Paquetá.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.