Fullkrug seeks January exit as West Ham plan striker move

Niclas Fullkrug has informed West Ham United he wants to leave the club in the January transfer window, his agent said, and the club is preparing for the possibility of recruiting a new striker to replace him. The 32 year old forward, who joined West Ham from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2024 on a four year deal, has struggled with repeated injuries and limited game time and is reported to be seeking a move that would increase his chances of returning to the Germany squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Fullkrug’s spell in east London has been disrupted by lengthy absences and inconsistent availability. Since his arrival he has made roughly 27 appearances and scored three goals, and he has missed extended periods through injury. West Ham paid about 27 million for the striker following a productive season in Germany, but his transition to the English game has been hindered by recurring fitness problems, his agent said. On a recent podcast the agent stated, "Looking back, we have to say the transfer did not work out. There is no point in sugarcoating it," and added that repeated injuries created negative momentum for the player.

The striker is understood to prefer a return to...