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West Ham loanee Niclas Fullkrug’s future could go in many directions as he faces an important few months for club and country.
Fullkrug will ultimately be remembered as a flop at West Ham, scoring just three goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.
18 months after signing for the Hammers, he departed on loan to AC Milan in the January transfer window and has also struggled there.
Fullkrug’s future is now up in the air, with two big dilemmas on the horizon, including his place in Germany’s World Cup squad.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
West Ham loanee Niclas Fullkrug’s future takes double twist
Fullkrug has an excellent goalscoring record for the German national team, netting 14 times in 24 games.
His impressive performances at the 2024 European Championship played a key role in West Ham’s decision to sign him for £27.5 million.
However, after struggling for form over the last two seasons, Fullkrug has lost his place in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad.
But the latest report from German newspaper Bild suggests he could still go to the World Cup if his form improves towards the end of the season.
Fullkrug is currently “on the verge” of making Nagelsmann’s squad as the third-choice striker behind Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade.
He has scored just one goal in 14 Serie A matches for Milan, but a goalscoring flurry in the final eight games could earn him a plane ticket to the USA.
Meanwhile, Fullkrug’s club career is expected to take a major turn this summer, with West Ham and Milan unlikely to give him a second chance.
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Italian outlet Calciomercato has reported that Schalke are interested in signing him if they are promoted to the Bundesliga.
The German club are one point clear of SV Elversberg and Paderborn at the top of Bundesliga 2 with seven games to go.
Former Manchester City striker Eden Dzeko is leading the line for Schalke, but the 40-year-old will need replacing next season.
One can only assume Fullkrug would be keen for a return to Germany, where he has played by far the best football of his career.
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