Report: West Ham plot shock swap deal involving Niclas Fullkrug to land 65-goal striker | OneFootball

West Ham are reportedly plotting a shock swap deal in the January transfer window, offering German international Niclas Fullkrug to AC Milan in an attempt to secure prolific Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez.

The ambitious move comes as Fullkrug, whose high-profile summer switch to the London Stadium has failed, eyes a quick exit in January ahead of the World Cup.

Fullkrug joined West Ham in a major transfer last summer, but his integration into the team has not worked out as planned.

Despite a strong reputation as a centre-forward, the 32-year-old has struggled for form and goals, managing just three Premier League goals across 26 total club appearances this season.

With the German keen on more regular minutes ahead of the World Cup, a return to the continent has become a strong possibility.

(Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

West Ham could use Fullkrug in swap deal for Santiago Gimenez

According to a report covered by Chronicle Live, West Ham are prepared to use Niclas Fullkrug in a swap deal to bring Santiago Gimenez to the Premier League.

West Ham are not the only club linked with Gimenez.

The report claims that the Sunderland are also strongly interested in signing the Mexican, while Brentford have also registered their interest.

Santiago Gimenez would be a great signing for the Premier League

Gimenez has been long linked with a move to the Premier League. Tottenham were interested in him in the past and so were Nottingham Forest, who even made a failed attempt to sign him before his move to AC Milan from Feyenoord.

His excellent goalscoring record with the Dutch club earned him a strong reputation in Europe.

In 105 games for Feyenoord across all competitions, the Mexican international scored 65 and assisted 14, which eventually earned him the high profile move to Italy.

While his time at AC Milan has been hampered by a lingering ankle injury and a change of scenery, he still registered six goals and three assists in 19 matches in the latter half of last season.

For West Ham, securing a striker with Gimenez’s proven knack for finding the back of the net would represent a massive upgrade.

Whether the player would want to move for a struggling club remains to be seen.