West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug is on the verge of ending his difficult spell in East London, with Serie A giants AC Milan reportedly "closing in" on a loan deal ahead of the January window.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the German international has already said "yes" to the move, with negotiations between the two clubs now in the final stages.
The deal is set to be structured as a loan with a buy option, understood to be non-mandatory and set at a figure below £12.5million (€15m). For West Ham, this represents a significant acceptance of failure regarding a player who arrived with high expectations just 18 months ago.
The Details of the Deal
Romano reports that while final details are yet to be sorted, direct contact between the clubs is ongoing to seal the agreement. The buy option—widely reported to be under the £12.5m mark—highlights how far Niclas Fullkrug’s stock has fallen since his arrival.
West Ham paid a reported £27.5million to bring the striker to the London Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2024. At the time, he was seen as the solution to the club’s long-standing striker issues, fresh off a Champions League final appearance.
However, the move has not worked out. Fullkrug struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, scoring just three goals in 29 appearances during his debut campaign. His fortunes have not improved this season under Nuno Espirito Santo, having failed to score in nine appearances and falling completely out of the matchday squad in recent weeks.
A Lifeline in Milan
For AC Milan, this deal is a low-risk opportunity to add experience to their frontline. The Rossoneri have been hunting for attacking reinforcements following injuries to key personnel, including Santiago Gimenez.
Fullkrug offers a different profile to their current options—a physical target man capable of holding up the ball and bringing others into play. While his time in England has been forgettable, his record in the Bundesliga suggests he can still be effective in a league that often suits experienced poachers.
The player himself has been keen on the switch, reportedly agreeing to the move days ago as he looks to reignite a career that has stalled badly in the capital.
Financial Hit for the Hammers
The departure of Fullkrug will likely be viewed as the closing chapter of a failed experiment. The potential ÂŁ12.5m recoup fee would represent a loss of roughly ÂŁ15m on the transfer fee paid in 2024, not accounting for his substantial wages during his time at the club.
This exit also marks another move away from the recruitment led by former technical director Tim Steidten, who was instrumental in bringing Fullkrug to the club. With Steidten having since departed, the current hierarchy appears willing to cut their losses rather than persist with a player who clearly does not fit Nuno’s tactical demands.
What Happens Next?
With the January window fast approaching, West Ham will likely need to dip back into the market. The departure of Fullkrug frees up squad space and wages, but it leaves them light in attack. Callum Wilson has deputised admirably in recent weeks, but the Hammers cannot rely on him alone if they are to pull away from the relegation zone.
Expect this deal to be rubber-stamped in the first week of January, allowing both parties to move on from a transfer that simply never clicked.