Transfer insider | West Ham stick to their guns whilst Striker wants to call it quits – Exclusive

West Ham United appear to be sticking to their guns over player departures this window: Rather than allowing unwanted players to leave on free deals simply to offload them, the Hammers are insisting on at least modest payments to see  unwanted players get their wish to quit the club.

That is the assertion of our transfer insider, close to several West Ham players but outside the club itself, who has exclusively revealed to Claret and Hugh that West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug is willing to walk away from the Hammers without a payoff.

Evidently he’s sufficiently motivated to quit east London that he’s willing to turn his back on the estimated £8 million due to him in salary over the next two years, such is his desire to draw a line under his disastrous move and find a new club at which he can at least get regular football.

However, we are told West Ham are sticking to their guns and demanding a modest €5 million transfer fee for the German’s signature. 

Which still equates to a massive loss after the Irons parted with £26 million for Fullkrug’s signature in 2024.

It does, however, suggest West Ham are quite happy to negotiate from a position of strength and dig in their heels, rather than simply let the German walk away from London Stadium without any sort of a fee.

And who can blame them. Fullkrug’s transfer has been one of the all – time fails of the Sullivan era. And that is saying something.

However, with AC Milan choosing to reject the option to sign Fullkrug for a tiny €4 million fee (the purchase option contained within last season’s loan agreement,)  it remains to be seen if a buyer -most likely from the Bundesliga – will come forward and part with even this modest amount for the 33 year old striker’s services.

Interestingly, stories abound just today linking Fullkrug with Italy’s newly promoted Venezia: West Ham won’t care where a transfer fee comes from, as long as it comes.