West Ham United striker Niclas Füllkrug has reportedly taken a decisive step towards an exit from the London Stadium, having reached a personal agreement with Italian giants AC Milan over a January transfer.
Agreement Reached Amidst London Struggles
According to prominent reports from Italy, the 32-year-old German international has settled terms on a short-term contract with the Serie A side. The proposed deal would see AC Milan cover Füllkrug's salary for the remainder of the season, contingent on West Ham agreeing to a loan arrangement. While the clubs are yet to finalise an agreement, the player's intentions are clear.
Füllkrug's time in East London has been plagued by inconsistency and fitness issues since his arrival in 2024. This campaign, he has made eight Premier League appearances without scoring, and his overall record for the Hammers stands at just three goals and two assists from 29 outings. He has been absent for West Ham's last three matches.
Füllkrug's Clear Preference for San Siro
Italian publication Calciomercato states that the former Borussia Dortmund forward has explicitly asked to change clubs this winter. Furthermore, it is claimed he has instructed his representatives to reject interest from other suitors, prioritising a move to the San Siro above all else. This includes turning down concrete proposals from clubs in his native Germany.
Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the ongoing dialogue. On his YouTube channel, Romano stated: "The dialogue between AC Milan and West Ham for Füllkrug has started... Füllkrug prefers Italy." He added that the player is waiting for Milan to formally proceed, having given them "total priority."
What This Means for West Ham
The potential departure comes despite public backing from manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who last month labelled Füllkrug a "really good option" upon his return from injury. However, with the player keen to leave and opportunities limited, a January exit now seems increasingly probable.
The immediate focus is on whether the two clubs can bridge the gap and agree on the final details of a loan deal. Should they succeed, Füllkrug could depart in the opening days of the January transfer window, ending his brief and underwhelming stint in the Premier League.
