West Ham United’s season continues to lurch from one low point to another, with the Hammers sitting near the relegation zone in the Premier League.
Nuno Espírito Santo may have picked up some points, but the overall picture remains bleak — a team leaking goals and failing to find the net with any consistency.
There have been a few flickers of hope, such as the form of Lucas Paquetá and new signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, but for the most part, there’s been little for fans to cheer about.
Among the biggest disappointments has been Niclas Füllkrug, the £27 million summer signing whose move from Borussia Dortmund has gone badly wrong.
Plagued by injuries and struggling for form, the German striker hasn’t scored a single goal this season and has been sidelined since early October with a thigh issue.
His agent recently admitted the transfer “didn’t work out,” sparking speculation that the 32-year-old could head back to the Bundesliga in January — with Stuttgart rumoured as a possible destination.
Stuttgart Chairman Responds to Füllkrug Rumours
West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo with Niclas Fullkrug. (Reuters/Peter Cziborra)
West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo with Niclas Fullkrug. (Reuters/Peter Cziborra)
Speaking before Stuttgart’s 2–0 Europa League win over Feyenoord, club CEO Alexander Wehrle was asked directly about the reports linking them with a move for the West Ham forward.
While Wehrle didn’t confirm any approach, he didn’t exactly rule one out either. He hinted that Stuttgart will soon begin shaping their January plans — but noted that squad space is already tight.
“I won’t comment on any names publicly, otherwise I’d be an amateur,” Wehrle said when pressed on Füllkrug’s situation.
“I have complete confidence in the sporting management. We will discuss and decide in the coming weeks what the team needs and what will benefit them.
“[But] we have a large squad. That shouldn’t be forgotten.”
That’s not exactly a denial — and given Füllkrug’s desire for more playing time ahead next year’s World Cup, a Bundesliga return could suit all parties.
For West Ham, it might be their best chance to offload one of the Premier League’s most disappointing signings in recent memory.