West Ham Hold Talks With AC Milan Over January Loan Exit for Niclas Füllkrug

West Ham United are in discussions with AC Milan over a potential January move for striker Niclas Füllkrug, with the German international expected to leave the London Stadium midway through the season.

The 32-year-old has endured a difficult spell since joining the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2024 in a deal worth £27.5 million. Injuries and a lack of form have restricted his impact, and he is now surplus to requirements under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo.

AC Milan, who remain firmly in the Serie A title race, are understood to be exploring a loan deal for Füllkrug, viewing the experienced forward as a short-term attacking option for the second half of the campaign.

Füllkrug has failed to score in nine appearances across all competitions this season and has struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. His situation has worsened in recent weeks, with the striker omitted entirely from West Ham’s matchday squad for last weekend’s defeat by Aston Villa.

The Germany international has not started a match since Nuno’s second game in charge — a fixture against Arsenal in early October — and has been hampered by a series of fitness issues, most recently a thigh problem that only recently sidelined him.

In his absence, West Ham have turned to Callum Wilson to lead the line, and the England forward has impressed, registering three goals and one assist in his last six outings. His form has further reduced the likelihood of Füllkrug reclaiming a prominent role.

West Ham are keen to strengthen their attacking options in the January transfer window but are prioritising the departure of Füllkrug first, largely due to his wages and long-term contract, which runs until the summer of 2028.

The striker’s agent, Thorsten Wirth, has publicly acknowledged that the move to east London has not gone as planned. Speaking last month, he admitted that a change could be in the best interests of all parties.

“With hindsight, we have to say the transfer didn’t work out,” Wirth said. “There’s no point in sugar-coating it.”

Asked about the possibility of a January exit, he added: “Any decision has to be made in cooperation with the club, but I believe it can make sense to change something there.”

Talks between West Ham and Milan are ongoing, with the coming weeks expected to determine whether Füllkrug’s Premier League stint will be cut short.