West Ham fans are still patiently waiting for the club to spring into action this summer.
It is no secret that the club needs to raise significant funds before new players can be bought, due to current PSR regulations.
As a result, it’s claimed the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta, Emerson, Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek all could leave east London should suitable offers materialise over the next couple of months.
Meanwhile, Graham Potter desperately needs to strengthen key areas of the squad. A striker, central midfielder, left-back, centre-back and possibly even a goalkeeper are all high on the priority list as the Hammers boss seeks to build a squad capable of competing in the top half of the Premier League table.
It is the striker situation which will have fans particularly nervous about what the future holds.
The Hammers’ striker curse is well documented, having tried and failed on multiple occasions to sign a striker who can not only score goals but also stay fit, often bringing in players who struggled to do both.
The likes of Simone Zaza, Lucas Perez, Jordan Hugill, Sebastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca and Evan Ferguson are just a few strikers who have arrived and struggled to live up to expectations at London Stadium.
West Ham striker Evan Ferguson
It has led to Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen often being called upon to fill that role, both of which have done so with better results than those who were actually employed to play that role.
However, with Antonio’s contract situation still no nearer to being resolved and Bowen undoubtedly being far more effective on the right wing, Potter currently only has Niclas Fullkrug available as the only first-team striker available.
Fullkrug’s maiden season in England was a frustrating one and underlined the Hammers’ ongoing striker search. Two extended periods on the sidelines through injury limited the Germany international to just 20 appearances, three goals and two assists in all competitions for the Hammers. He averaged just 44 minutes per appearance.
Such a difficult season has understandably led to question marks over the 32-year-old’s future beyond this summer.
Real Madrid could rescue Fullkrug
Niclas Fullkrug West Ham
Fullkrug has been honest about his injury frustrations since signing for West Ham and in an interview with Sky Sports Germany last month admitted that he is ‘relaxed’ about his future and is ‘feeling good’ about next season.
There has been no indication that the striker is looking for a move away from east London this summer, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was keeping his options open in case an opportunity to cut his Hammers spell short comes up.
Reports in Spain, specifically from Defensa Central, claim one opportunity could come up in the form of La Liga giants Real Madrid.
New boss Xabi Alonso is on the lookout for a new striker at the Bernabeu, reportedly one who can specifically make a positive impact off the bench.
It’s claimed Alonso sees Fullkrug as a stiker who ‘perfectly fits his demands.’
However, the report goes on to state that any move for Fullkrug depends on the future of 21-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia, who is attracting interest from Getafe, Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Real Sociedad.
If Gonzalo leaves, it will pave the way for Alonso to make a move for Fullkrug and bring the former Borussia Dortmund No.9 to the Bernabeu.
There is no indication of how much West Ham would be willing to sell their striker for but it’s unlikely they will recoup anywhere close to the £27m they paid for him last summer.
Is there a swap deal on the cards?
Gonzalo Garcia
If Real Madrid’s interest in Fullkrug rests on Gonzalo securing a move away from the club then that could, perhaps, open up a possible swap deal between the two clubs.
There’s nothing to suggest West Ham would be interested in signing the young Spanish striker but given they’re going to need to replace Fullkrug in the event he leaves, and will likely need to sign one more striker to provide further attacking options, it could be an option Potter will consider.
Garcia made just three La Liga appearances for the first-team last season but did score in his one and only appearance in the Copa del Rey.
The striker is currently at the Club World Cup with Real Madrid and has registered one goal and one assist in two appearances.
Meanwhile, he scored 25 goals in 36 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla in Spain’s third tier.
The fact he is making an impact at the Club World Cup might increase his value somewhat, and could attract further interest if he is indeed up for sale.
But if Real Madrid are serious about their interest in Fullkrug, West Ham might be wise to see whether a deal involving Gonzalo coming the other way is a possibility.