AFTER just three goals at West Ham in 15 months, Niclas Fullkrug could be set to leave mid-season.
The German forward has been a major flop in east London since his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2024 off the back of European Championship heroics.
Fullkrug’s first year was blighted by injury but the veteran striker has failed to find form since returning to the field.
He is yet to score this season after only managing to find the net three times in 20 appearances in his debut campaign at the London Stadium.
Now, with the January transfer window approaching, he has interest from AC Milan according to reports in Italy.
Tuttomercato claim that the Serie A table toppers could swoop in for Fullkrug sooner rather than later in a game of No.9 merry-go-round.
With another tightly congested title fight in Italy, Max Allegri is looking to bolster his frontline in order to sustain their push to win the league.
Milan are 11 games unbeaten domestically but have drawn four of the last six fixtures and could lose their spot at the summit to Napoli this weekend.
Fullkrug is seen as one of the options for Milan but Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth, another player to disappoint in England, this time with Crystal Palace, is also said to be on their radar.
Milan would be open to a swap deal including Santiago Gimenez, who only joined in February but is out of the team and yet to score or assist this season.
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As for Fullkrug, Milan may well represent a serious step up after a shocking time of things in England.
The 32-year-old is currently out with injury but has made no attempt to hide his frustration at the Hammers.
Last season he launched a passionate rant at his own team-mates after being held to a draw against bottom-side Southampton thanks to a stoppage time equaliser.
Speaking afterwards, Fullkrug said: “It’s a mindset problem.
“I am very angry. Not disappointed, just angry for what we did after the goal.
“It was difficult to bring the boys back to push up. We didn’t push up anymore.
“We tried, but we didn’t have the ability or the motivation to push up again.
“I’m very, very angry that we played like this because we had some minutes where we showed what we can do against an opponent like that at home.
“We showed that we can have good possession, that we can go in behind and that we have the chances to score again.
“But the motivation, sorry, we were s**t. I’m very angry.”
Honest agent
Earlier this month his agent, Thorsten Wirth, went a step further and admitted that his client is seeking an early exit from West Ham.
Wirth said: “That always has to happen in coordination with the club.
“But it might make sense to make a change.
“Many would probably agree that Niclas is a classic penalty-area striker.
“Strong in the air, physically powerful, able to shield the ball – basically made for the Premier League.
“But in retrospect, you have to say the transfer didn’t work. There’s no sugar-coating it.
“Time and again, just when you thought ‘now he’s coming.
“Now he’ll show England it wasn’t just a good Euro and then nothing afterwards’, another injury came.
“And that’s a shame. He’s had a bit of negative momentum and also some bad luck.”
