Just like Haller, Niclas Fullkrug joined West Ham after establishing himself among the Bundesliga's finest marksmen. The Germany striker notched 15 goals for Dortmund in 2023-24, helping them reach the Champions League final, and scored twice for his country at Euro 2024. Fullkrug felt working under ex-Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui in the Premier League was the ideal next step, as he said at his unveiling: "I am confident that under him I will be able to perform at my best, and score lots of goals."
As it turned out, though, Fullkrug had hit his peak at 31. The former Werder Bremen and Hannover star has netted a meagre three goals in 24 Premier League appearances to date, with Lopetegui and Graham Potter, the Spaniard's successor, both failing to bring the best out of him.
The Hammers are now hoping that Nuno Espirito Santo can steer them away from relegation danger, but it's unlikely Fullkrug will form part of the Portuguese's plans. His agent, Thorsten Wirth, is already pushing for a January exit, as he revealed on the TOMorrow Business Podcast. “Looking back, we have to say the transfer didn’t work out,” Wirth said. “There’s no point in sugar-coating it. This always has to happen in cooperation with the club, but I believe it can make sense to change something there.”
Fullkrug is another who has been plagued by injuries, but his lack of self-awareness hasn't helped either. After a 1-1 draw with bottom club Southampton in April, he claimed his team-mates have a "mindset problem", before adding: "Sorry, we were sh*t. I’m very angry." He should have been more frustrated with himself for wasting their best chances, as he has done pretty much every time he's taken to the pitch.