AC Milan interested in move to sign West Ham United star | OneFootball

Milan consider Fullkrug as January opportunity surfaces

Milan’s Search For A Reliable Forward

Milan’s recruitment team are already deep into their January planning, driven by the need to strengthen without extravagant spending. Corriere dello Sport outline clearly that the club “will look for the right opportunities, without crazy spending, to give Allegri the pieces he needs to achieve the season’s objectives”. After a difficult opening stretch of the campaign, the focus pivots towards experience, aerial strength and reliability in the penalty area.

The report notes that both Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku, despite their status and expectations, have yet to find the net in the league. Zero goals between them underscores a structural problem rather than a temporary slump. Milan’s priority is becoming increasingly transparent: identify a ready-made nine whose profile mirrors the demands of Allegri’s approach. One line in the article captures this succinctly, describing the ideal striker as “experienced, immediately ready and low cost”.

Photo IMAGO

It is within this context that Niclas Fullkrug has re-entered the conversation.

Suitability Of Fullkrug

Fullkrug is described as “strong physically, present in the penalty area, good with his head and in link-up play”, precisely the template Igli Tare referenced when outlining Milan’s needs back in June. Standing at 189 centimetres, his frame and style bear more than a passing resemblance to the Giroud mould that has served Milan so well in recent years.

Photo IMAGO

His situation at West Ham is equally important. After choosing the Premier League over Milan in 2024, the move has not unfolded as planned. The report highlights that he has played “only 6 Premier League matches this season” and “just 20 in total last year, scoring only three times”. Injuries, limited minutes and form have combined to restrict his influence. Yet this underuse creates a possible opening. A player with a point to prove, physically imposing and familiar with European football, fits neatly into Milan’s January strategy.

Market Conditions Favour A Deal

With clubs generally reluctant to part with elite forwards mid-season, opportunities are often shaped by circumstance rather than preference. Fullkrug represents one of those situations. Corriere dello Sport describe him as “an option being evaluated”, with Allegri’s staff attracted by his profile and the potential availability of a financially viable deal.

Everything hinges on the next month. Should Gimenez and Nkunku suddenly spark into life, Milan may shelve their plans. But if the current pattern continues, the need for a traditional striker will become unavoidable. The report summarises this reality, stating that Fullkrug “could be the nine Allegri lacks, with evaluations ongoing and expected to continue in the coming weeks”.

Photo: IMAGO

For Milan, this is a window of controlled spending and targeted intervention. Fullkrug fits both columns.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Fullkrug’s struggles for minutes are well known. Six league appearances, limited starts and a modest scoring return make it clear he has not been central to the Hammers’ current setup. Many supporters argue that the squad needs more mobility and pressing intensity in forward areas, traits he has struggled to provide consistently in the Premier League. If Milan are interested and the club can recoup a fair fee, plenty would view that as smart business.

However, there is also a sense of unfinished business. Fullkrug arrived with a reputation as a classic penalty-box striker, someone who could offer a different dimension when matches became tight. West Ham fans have barely seen that version of him. Injuries and tactical preferences have restricted his rhythm, and there remains curiosity about how he might perform with a sustained run of matches. The idea of him leaving before ever genuinely settling will not sit well with everyone.

The broader concern is squad depth. Offloading him without securing a replacement would leave West Ham thin in an area where physical presence can still be valuable. If he does depart, supporters will expect a clear plan, not simply another body removed from the squad. In short, many fans would accept his exit, but only on the club’s terms and only if the recruitment team show decisiveness in identifying an upgrade.