[Tim Steidten](https://www.claretandhugh.info/steidtens-bargain-puts-100-million-of-signings-in-the-shade-west-ham-news/) has recently taken up the role of Director of Squad Planning and Recruitment at Bundesliga side FC Köln, and as part of his summer overhaul, could set his sights on **Niclas Füllkrug,** should the German side avoid relegation.
Steidten is a big fan of the experienced striker, and a deal could likely be completed for a modest fee. Füllkrug, now in his early thirties, has endured a difficult loan spell at AC Milan, scoring just once in thirteen appearances. Even so, he has a proven goalscoring record from his time in Germany.
Steidten knows a fully firing Füllkrug would immediately address Köln’s long‑standing need for a reliable finisher.
Tim Steidten’s worst deal? £26.5 million transfer for crocked Niclas Fullkrug
With West Ham keen to move the striker on, he will be available at a modest price (compared with that daft £26.5 million transfer fee that the Hammers agreed in 2024) – exactly the type of opportunity Steidten has built his reputation on exploiting.
With delicious irony West Ham’s former technical director could prove something of a saviour by giving the Hammers an escape route for their awful flop.
AC Milan have an option to buy the German striker for a fee of €4m yet are unlikely to pursue this.
For Köln, such a signing would demonstrate ambition without straining the budget. Füllkrug’s leadership and experience could provide an instant lift, while his familiarity with the Bundesliga lowers the risk typically associated with summer transfers.
If Steidten manages to secure the deal, it would benefit all parties: West Ham move on a high‑earning striker, and Köln a marquee signing.
However, one key stumbling block will be the players wages – Fullkrug will likely be expected to take a pay cut rather than return to London, especially considering that should the Hammers be relegated his salary would automatically fall by half.