There appears to be two early frontrunners for the signature of West Ham United’s injury-stricken Premier League millstone Niclas Fullkrug, as the January transfer window looms into view.
Unfortunately for the luckless, goalless Germany international and his itchy-footed agent, securing a mid-season move away from the London Stadium may be easier said than done.
Tim Steidten’s £27 million transfer continues to haunt the Hammers, one year, eleven Premier League starts and just three top-flight goals later. Niclas Fullkrug is only a quarter of the year through the long-term contract he signed when moving to England from Borussia Dortmund.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann warned Fullkrug that his World Cup hopes may hang in the balance, though Hammers News have been told that any clubs looking into a January deal will have to jump through their share of hoops.
Owner David Sullivan wants a ‘significant’ sum. Furthermore, West Ham will only sell Fullkrug if a replacement is lined up. That, by the way, is without mentioning the sizeable pay-packet which could prove to be an insurmountable obstacle for the two clubs seemingly jostling for position at the front of the queue; Bundesliga strugglers Wolfsburg and Augsburg.
Patrick Berger, the Sky Germany reporter, provided a detailed assessment of the situation this week. West Ham United’s treatment-room dwelling, increasingly seldom-seen centre-forward earns £75,000-a-week after tax.
‘Quite a hurdle’, Berger says, for the two teams lumbering around in 14th and 15th place.
Niclas Fullkrug ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United - Carabao Cup Second Round
Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images
Bundesliga reporter Patrick Berger explains Niclas Fullkrug’s situation at West Ham United
While Wolfsburg and Augsburg appear to have emerged as early frontrunners, high-flying Stuttgart have played down any interest in Fullkrug. Berger also claims that any chance of a move to Champions League-chasing RB Leipzig have also ‘cooled’.
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Thus, leaving Fullkrug in the crosshairs of two relegation-threatened clubs who might not be able to afford him anyway.
“It’s said that several clubs are equally interested in the German national striker,” Berger says.
“VfL Wolfsburg are specifically interested in Niklas Fullkrug, for various reasons. They simply lack a player like him at the moment. But according to our information, FC Augsburg has also contacted his management and could make a move in the winter transfer window.
“Stuttgart and Leipzig were also mentioned as potential destinations before his move to West Ham [in 2024]. The door, I don’t want to completely close it, but the trail has at least cooled down a bit for Niklas Fullkrug.”
Fullkrug has a ‘very good connection’ with Augsburg coach Sandro Wagner
Ambitious Augsburg may have an advantage, given that Sky point out Fullkrug’s good relationship with their head coach Sandro Wagner. A former Germany number nine himself, Wagner coached Fullkrug as part of the national team set up between 2023 and 2025.
“One thing is clear; Fullkrug earns a lot of money in London. Around 4.5 million euros net. So, that’s quite a hurdle for some clubs,” Berger adds.
“Wolfsburg is a good fit, especially because they’re going through a difficult period. They are lacking many of those leaders, players who can inspire the fans and the club, who can speak up in the locker room. At Dortmund, he quickly became one of the leaders, and what makes him so interesting is that he can function very well in a two-striker formation.
“The same applies to FC Augsburg, who are very focused on crosses, where Fullkrug could be perfectly positioned.
“Above all, Fullkrug has a very good connection with Sandro Wagner, Nagelsmann’s former assistant coach. He knows him very well from the national team.”
Nuno Espirito Santo focused on getting Fullkrug back to fitness
In the meantime, Nuno Espirito Santo has made it clear that Niclas Fullkrug will remain in West Ham’s plans until an agreement is reached for his departure.
The former Werder Bremen talisman started the first two Premier League matches of the Nuno era, before suffering yet another injury.
“Everybody does their job in this industry. My job is to coach. From what I see, we arrived and Niclas played the first two games,” Nuno said before Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Burnley.
“Unfortunately, he got injured. Now, he’s coming back. If we can get him healthy and ready to go, he is another option for the team. That is how I see it.”