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It is fair to say Niclas Fullkrug has not been missed at West Ham United since his January move to Serie A giants AC Milan.
One suspects the Rossoneri will not miss the goal-shy German either when his most forgettable of loan spells comes to an end.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Milan have already decided that Fullkrug won’t be staying at San Siro.
Why do you think Niclas Fullkrug failed?
West Ham United included a very low purchase clause as part of the arrangement but, after one goal in 15 Serie A matches, the seven-time European champions understandably feel there is greater value to be found elsewhere.
Niclas Fullkrug struggled after leaving West Ham United for AC Milan
Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has defended the former Dortmund striker in the face of growing criticism, but journalist Giuseppe Pastore is not so forgiving.
Speaking to Cronache di Spogliatoio, Pastore lambasted the squad-building at the San Siro; Milan trying to go toe-to-toe with Napoli and runaway leaders Inter Milan with a strikeforce of Fullkrug, an injury-hit Santiago Gimenez and an out-of-sorts Christopher Nkunku.
Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
“Milan’s athletic freshness is nonexistent,” Pastore says, ripping into a side who have lost three of their last four games without scoring a single goal. “A team that hasn’t had any [European] commitments and not even that many injuries, yet isn’t even competing at Serie A level.
“The strong clubs at the moment are Inter and Napoli.
“[Milan endured] a disastrous January transfer window in which the only arrival is a player who isn’t fit to play in Serie A; like Fullkrug, in embarrassing condition.”
Werder Bremen cannot afford Fullkrug’s wages
In last week’s 4-0 obliteration of Wolves, Taty Castellanos overtook Fullkrug’s tally of three Premier League goals in a West Ham shirt despite playing 14 fewer matches in the competition.
A return to the Bundesliga is often mentioned as a possibility, though Werder Bremen all-but ruled out signing Fullkrug unless he drastically reduces his wages.
Also linked with a Bundesliga homecoming, ex-Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos is a Borussia Dortmund target according to new reports out of Germany.
How much should West Ham demand for Mavropanos?
Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images
“Niclas identifies completely with the club and had expressed interest in coming back himself,” CEO Klaus Filbry told Sport BILD, Fullkrug scoring 45 goals in 90 games for Werder Bremen between 2019 and 2023.
“The deal was financially out of reach for Werder. We looked into it. However, there was then the opportunity to move to AC Milan. It’s a top club where he also plays internationally and where his chances of a possible World Cup appearance would increase.
“I don’t think the [financial] circumstances will change in the summer, even though I would, of course, like to see him back in a Werder Bremen shirt.”
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