West Ham are apparently looking to sign Niclas Füllkrug, depending on which newspaper you read and ITK you follow.
The big Dortmund striker is believed to be an alternative to Jhon Duran, yet he appears to be absolutely nothing like him. The Aston Villa forward is young, fast, and unproven, whereas Füllkrug is… well, quite the opposite.
I suppose the two players have size in common, but that’s about it. So, I’m hoping that the move for the German international is a smoke-and-mirrors tactic to bring Villa back to the negotiating table. In fact, I’m happy to nail my colours to the mast and state that I don’t believe a word of it.
Sky Sports transfer ITK Darmesh Sheth is reporting genuine interest from the Hammers in the 31 year old, but his German counterpart at Sky Germany, Florian Plettenberg, refutes the claim.
So what’s the truth? At this point, it’s hard to say, and with West Ham on their second day of keeping schtum, it really comes down to who has the best contacts in Germany to fully assess the situation.
For me, the transfer makes little sense from both a footballing and financial perspective. The Hammers need to be bringing the average age of the squad down and addressing the striker position, which has been a problem for years.
Tim Steidten is known as the ‘pearl diver’ for his ability to discover hidden riches and gems. However, if West Ham signs half of the old codgers we’re linked with, Mr. Steidten will get a reputation for fishing rusty shopping trolleys from the canal rather than pearls from the tropical lagoon.
I joke, of course. My gut instinct tells me this story is a load of codswallop, but stranger things have happened.
Your best headline and image yet Gonzo, let’s hope the trolley has a few items in it at the end of the window.
Most transfer window stories are a load of old ones,
Exactly, all media sources rely 9n advertising revenue these days so they have to push out as many stories as possible.
We are a notoriously impatient lot, myself included but I’m trying not to get wound up and will reserve judgement until the window closes
COYI!
Why are we still offering £20m for players that are £35m ie Summerville from Leeds either we want him or we don’t why waste time with insignificant bids? Same with Duran offer £35m and Villa will take it !!!
Sullivan and Brady still interfering. Nothing will change until they are gone.
Class striker, holds the ball up brilliantly, untouchable aerially and a smart all round game..we missed out on him to Dortmund last year. Would be no disgrace to have a rotation of Inggs,Antonio and Fullkrug this season for a modest outlay..
Good player, not sure it is smoke and mirrors, 31 isn’t old these days, 2 years in him at a good level, 15 goals this season could get us back into Europe and a better proposition for someone Steidten may have his eye on for January/next summer. Or smoke and mirrors…!
If we get Duran I assume it will be after the first game of the season
I would not be surprised if that’s Villa’s game Matt
Stop being so negative you idiot. Tim is like a trader playing games to get who he an JL want all you and your articles only wind people up. Eat your words at the end of the transfer window
Well said Andy seems like nobody on here here has any business acumin what so ever. Can’t anyone see this is a ruse to force villas hand. Tim’s been doing this all window fulkrug doesn’t even fit the model or what Lopetegu wants. Wish people would calm down ffs
*[Business] acumen.
I don’t usually do that but “take a bun,” as I would say in my language 😉
Andy, you have totally missed the point, the gist, the joke, the nuance and pretty much everything else.
No need for insults.
Anyway, go and be angry somewhere else on the internet . . . there’s plenty to choose from.
It’s not possible to know. Is he a short term solution at low cost or is it Steidten playing mind games with Villa ?
If Villa have no plans for Duran then in these days of PSR they can’t afford to keep him, they’ll have plans in other places that need the funding.
That’s not just Villa that applies to all teams. Steidten will know that but it’s not possible to know whether it is a genuine low cost short term answer or calling Villas bluff.
Steitden isn’t the problem. And neither is lopetegui Sullivan on the other hand is the problem. Ego before club every time .
What is the problem with fulkrug . He is made for the premier league .strong . physical and holds the ball up really well .was a regular for Dortmund last year and they are a far better side than west ham⚒️
The only thing wrong is his age 31. He may be a short term solution at a low cost.
For way too long we have bought players entering the twilight of their career, they have zero balance sheet value and there is no return on investment. Now, with the changes to PSR we simply cannot continue with this approach,it’s unsustainable short termism which sees us constantly needing wholesale change and team rebuild season on season.
Excellent headline! 🤣
I have been skipping over these stories, in the hope they are rubbish and not wanting them to be true…
Thanks mate 😉
I’d be shocked if this were true actually.
It would almost suggest that we have no strategy whatsoever and are just chasing anyone we think is available.
Hopefully just speculation and we end up with Duran.