The future of West Ham’s £27m striker Niclas Füllkrug remains uncertain.
The German forward returned to action, scoring a consolation goal in the Hammers’ 3-1 defeat to Leicester City, but was left out of the squad for the 2-1 win against Wolves.
Many assumed Füllkrug’s return to fitness after three months on the side-lines would mean West Ham wouldn’t need to enter the transfer market for a striker in January.
However, Claret & Hugh has learned that the former Dortmund striker’s future is still in doubt following reports of homesickness.
A top source inside the London Stadium told C&H: “It depends on how Füllkrug performs and if he wants to stay,” when asked whether the club would look to strengthen the frontline following Michail Antonio’s injury.
It is understood that West Ham are compiling a list of striker targets to mitigate the possibility of Füllkrug leaving in January.
At present, Danny Ings is the club’s only fully fit striker. It was telling that head coach Julen Lopetegui opted for the former Saints man as the team’s substitute striker against Wolves, rather than Füllkrug.
The uncertainty surrounding both Antonio and Füllkrug could also mean that Ings will not be allowed to leave until the summer. The club had explored selling Ings in January, but this is no longer an option until a replacement is secured.
ings can go regardless, rather play with 10
Niclas has obviously missed being at home during his recovery from injury and all through pre-season. So far that has not left much time to forget home and leaves too much time to wonder what this move has done to him.
However, with the purpose back and with regular involvement in the team getting game time, he will very quickly be on track. Perhaps answering questions too honestly will become a thing of the past.
Ask any footballer if they miss their home and the honest answer will be ‘of course’. Niclas understands the life – he’s in the prime of his career at the moment. He is committed for the length of his contract with West Ham United. If all goes well, he will not be averse to an extension or new contract.
That is for the future though. We will have to wait and see.
In the meantime, we are a man down. We need someone else stepping up to the mark. Perhaps that might be a new recruit in January or maybe we might discover unused talent from within the club.
All said – no need to replace Niclas Fullkrug.
COYI
Ings the only fit striker, no wonder we are in trouble.
So Fullkrug was left out of the squad and a few lines later was an unused sub. More stellar reporting.
Doesn’t actually say that to be fair
No one wants to play for the hapless Spaniard not just the German who wants to leave
Homesick !! thought I”d read he was hoping to go to Juventus……??
Sounds like any way he can get out of West Ham.
More BS? Homesick one minute, off to Italy the next, perhaps somebody could engage in some investigative journalism and ……….no, ok, forget that.
😂😂😂😂you can’t make this up…not even played and poor man is missing home ..ffs what a joke …what a way to run a club ..you woukd think they would look In to this beforehand…what an absolute fanny …wish I could be unsettled on 100 k a week…wan##er..i do hope he is ok …Jesus
I’d be surprised if he wasn’t homesick. Same as all the other foreigners are homesick but im sure the fact he’s getting paid a fortune helps. He signed a contract now he can get on with it for at least a full season. Even the most homesick player ever, Dmiyti Payet managed to play a year and a half over here. Personally I don’t think foreign players that are married should be allowed to come over here and play unless their families, wives, kids etc come over with them.