Milan not convinced by €5m Fullkrug buyout as Rossoneri begin hunt for replacement | OneFootball

Milan are set to allow Niclas Fullkrug to return to West Ham at the end of the season, with the club already scouting for a replacement striker despite the German’s buyout clause sitting at just €5 million.

The striker joined on loan in January as an emergency measure with Milan’s attack badly depleted, but has failed to make the impact the club hoped for.

A foot injury has hampered his progress throughout, and a single goal in 14 appearances, covering just 429 minutes of football, has done little to change minds at senior level.

PISA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 13: Niclas Fullkrug of AC Milan shows his dejection after a missed penalty during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and AC Milan at Arena Garibaldi on February 13, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Milan unlikely to trigger Fullkrug option after disappointing loan

According to transfer journalist Matteo Moretto, via CalcioMercato, Milan viewed the deal as a straightforward loan from the outset, with the purchase option only ever intended to be triggered in the event of an exceptional contribution.

That contribution has not materialised, and despite the remarkably low buyout fee, unusually modest given Fullkrug’s contract with West Ham runs until June 2028, the club are not prepared to exercise it.

The Rossoneri have already instructed their scouting network to identify a striker with similar physical characteristics for the summer window.

As for Fullkrug himself, a return to London looks the most likely immediate outcome, though a move back to Germany, particularly if former club Schalke earn promotion to the Bundesliga, has not been ruled out as a longer-term possibility.

His brief spell in Serie A will be remembered as one that never truly got off the ground.