Without any confirmation as yet from the new era West Ham boardroom as to the shape or style of the Hammers’ side that will be put together during the summer, Irons fans have renewed their season tickets in truly awe inspiring numbers based on the ‘hope’ that the bulk of the West Ham squad is kept together for a Championship challenge.
Or – more accurately, ‘the best’ of the West Ham squad – because it was by no means a finished article and certainly there will be departures and arrivals as Nuno seeks a competitive rebuild this summer, retaining ‘the backbone’ of last season and strengthening where he can.
Interesting reports this weekend suggest the sniff of interest in unwanted West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug from VfL Wolfsburg: Historical interest in the striker had never led to anything concrete although West Ham’s best bet to offload the unwanted veteran will undoubtedly be in his native Germany, where some vestige of a reputation may still be attached to his name.
On West Ham’s watchlist: Wolfsburg striker Dženan Pejčinović
ExWHU employee and @Westhamcentral go one step further and suggest the Hammers’ interest in Wolfsburg’s own young striker Dženan Pejčinović could be the basis to find a deal to suit both sides.
These ‘player swaps’ are often rumoured but hardly ever actioned, however according to the report:
“Another possible target is Wolfsburg’s German under 21 international Dženan Pejčinović. Wolfsburg are one of the clubs said to be keen on Niclas Fulkrug who we are desperate to offload. A potential deal could maybe be struck here involving both players.”
Receiving anything back for the departure of Fullkrug would only be seen as a bonus: West Ham have maintained their stance that they do want a fee rather than just cancelling his contract.
The young centre forward Pejčinović would certainly make an interesting bargaining chip even if the Hammers had to pay a fee for his services: They’d be saving about £8 million in wages by getting Fullkrug off their payroll two years early so there’d have to be some interesting horse-trading going on to finalise that deal.
Another one in the ‘inbox’ of new appointee Nils Koppen whenever he finally walks through the door at London Stadium.