Niclas Füllkrug’s short and tumultuous spell at West Ham United is at an end, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the German striker is set to leave the London club when the January transfer window opens.
After just 18 months in East London and a season marred by injury, inconsistency, and managerial disruption, the 32-year-old is already searching for a destination.
Füllkrug arrived at West Ham in the summer of 2024 with high expectations, following a great season at Borussia Dortmund where he scored 10 goals, playing a key role in their move to the roof of the Champions League Offense.
His combination of experience, link-up play, and physical presence made him an attractive option for the Hammers especially after losing attacking players months before.
However, the movement never clicked. A pair of injuries interrupted his first campaign, limiting him to only Premier League starts and a maximum of 12 appearances.
Niclas Füllkrug has struggled at West Ham
This season has been the biggest challenge, Füllkrug has played only 388 minutes under the new regime of the club and has fallen completely to Nuno Espírito Santo, who took over this campaign.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the two sides are now in agreement on a certain criteria:
“Let me start with the player who is scheduled to leave his club in this January transfer window, and it is Niclas FullKrug. It is over between West Ham and the German striker.
“So the hardest part, the hardest part of West Ham’s first season in general, with Graham Potter shooting through Nuno Espirito Santo [appointed] as a new manager.
“The players, apart from a few of them, are not performing as expected. One of these players is Niclas Fullkrug, who joined West Ham United one year ago and is now out of the job.
“So Fullkrug will leave West Ham in the January transfer window, looking for opportunities.” You want that chance to be a starter. That is the most important point of FullKrug, who wants to play, and who wants to feel comfortable with the new project he will choose.
“There are some opportunities in Germany, some opportunities in Italy. So let’s see what happens.”
According to Romano, clubs in Germany and Italy have already expressed interest. A return to the Bundesliga, where his profile is well established, seems a logical option, while Serie A clubs are looking at the situation as they seek to find the right prices.
Füllkrug’s desire for regular football has become a big thing, especially with international competitions at the source and strong competition within the German front ranks.
Füllkrug will be a wanted striker in January
For West Ham, Füllkrug’s departure will free up wages, currently earning around £112,000 a week, and allow the club to rebuild their squad in January.
The awards are expected to evaluate the attacking reinforcements, although they will advise the priorities of the departure of the outgoing players and the plans of Nuno Espasírito Santo.
The departure marks a disappointing end to what looked like a good signing. Injuries, managerial changes, inconsistent form, and poor tactical habits have all contributed to Füllkrug’s decline in East London.
West Ham’s loss could soon be another club’s gain, Füllkrug is ready for a new start, and January will define his next chapter.
Report: West Ham are on a verbal agreement with the 28-year-old for a January transfer
