AND almost Tommy Cooper-like, ( go ask your Dad), “just like that‘ West Ham’s striker crisis looks to be consigned to history. Fans will need to reserve judgement on the duo who are arriving, but simply having bodies in the squad will be an improvement on where the Irons were last month after inexplicably letting Niclas Fullkrug leave early.
Castellanos-once confirmed and Pablo (main pic) may be West Ham’s next Hartson and Kitson, they may not: But surely at last there’s hope – something to look forward to when the team sheet is announced.
From the looks of his social media post, whilst his may be a ‘loan with option‘ exit, Niclas Fullkrug isn’t planning on coming back: The pitifully low option clause to complete a permanent deal for the 33 year year old means even the brittle German stands a decent chance of getting his move finalised in the summer.
Zero loan fee and a £3.5 million buyout means Milan will get the player for just about what he’s really worth.
And Fullkrug took to social media to trumpet his delight at leaving his east London troubles behind:
“It’s an incredible feeling. I can’t wait to wear this jersey. It’s a great honour for me to be part of this huge club rich in tradition, with all its history, personalities, and ambitions — and I’m really looking forward to giving my best to continue writing this story.
And as far as his West Ham adventure, Fullkrug admitted the disaster that had been his move from Germany in the summer of ’24:
Farewell, Fullkrug
“The past one and a half years didn’t go as I – and surely you all – had imagined. Above all, I want to thank you for your support, even when things weren’t always easy. There are truly special people at WHU, and I am very grateful for everyone I met and the relationships I was able to build.”
No surprises there. WestHam’s worst-ever transfer? Three goals in a year and a half is less than Callum Wilson has achieved in seven starts. Goodbye, Niclas, good luck, but please don’t come back. We’ve already moved on.
Getting these 2 strikers in and one out is rectifying the mess the last managers left, so we are now where we should have been at the start of the season if we get a centre back in too. If you look at it like this then you will understand we are at least half a season behind in recruitment, not really where we should be.
The zero loan fee looks kosher…
Milan covering full wages.
But I’m finding two distinct figures for transfer fee 5m Euros and 13 to 14m Euros, one must definitely be wrong possibly both are.
Fullkrug will be on the books at about £13m come the end of this season so I’m tending to believe the 13-14m Euros figure especially as 5m Euros with no loan fee seems implausibly little.
It looks like we’re intending to break even after amortisation.
That it’s option not obligation to buy also supports this as if the option is refused he comes back at book value with Milan having covered his wages.
Pretty sure we let Anderson move to Lazio for less than £3m after buying for £35m less than 3 years prior.
Anything is possible in the world of West Ham mismanagement.
Like kicking £100m of past transfer payments down the road and then suddenly realising they need to be paid.
Hey you can’t blame the board for that though can you Saul…