Nuno Espirito Santo's start to life as the West Ham United manager has been far from ideal, but the January transfer window is fast approaching, and it could spell some big changes at the London Stadium as a result.
The Hammers sacked Graham Potter last month after a poor start to their season, replacing him with the Portuguese coach after he had been let go by Nottingham Forest following a bust-up with owner Evangelos Marinakis behind the scenes.
But since stepping into the hot seat, West Ham are still yet to win a game under their new boss, earning a draw against Everton in before three consecutive defeats against Arsenal, Brentford and Leeds United.
One of the biggest factors in those performances has been a severe lack of goals, with just two scored in four games, while Germany international Niclas Fullkrug has once again suffered an injury setback that will see him sidelined for a period of time.
A new striker seems to be a priority for the January transfer window, as Nuno looks to put his stamp on the squad, and GIVEMESPORT sources understand that Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee is a target. That could spell the end of the road for Fullkrug in east London.
Fullkrug to West Ham Transfer Has Been a Disaster
Niclas Fullkrug
The number nine curse at West Ham has been a big problem in recent years, with the likes of Danny Ings, Gianluca Scamacca, Sebastien Haller and more really struggling to live up to the expectations after big-money moves.
But the most recent player to fall to the curse has been Fullkrug, who joined the Hammers in a £27m deal from Borussia Dortmund two summers ago after impressing during the European Championships with Germany, on a contract worth £112,000-a-week. When he has played, his performances have been decent, but the 32-year-old has managed just three goals in 24 appearances for the club.
Injuries have plagued his time in England, and with yet another new striker being lined up to potentially come into the club, it would surely spell the end of the patience being shown with him currently.
Nuno has also used youngster Callum Marshall as a substitute on occasion, suggesting that he isn't the biggest fan of the other senior striker in Callum Wilson, which suggests that whoever does come in would be arriving as first-choice.
Zirkzee, who has been described as 'elite', has struggledwho has been described as 'elite at Manchester United to be first-choice striker but his qualities are something that suit the way Nuno likes his strikers. His link-up play is excellent, he's a good finisher, he can hold the ball up and he will bring other players into the game too.
His wage and potential transfer fee would mean there is no space for the club for Fullkrug to continue, and there would surely be no way back for him at that point.