£27m West Ham star primed for exit but wages issue could prevent move | OneFootball

West Ham are facing one key issue preventing Niclas Fullkrug's sale

West Ham are set for a busy summer transfer window following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Hammers are back in the Championship for the first time since 2012 after they finished 18th in the table, two points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur.

Nuno Espírito Santo has experience of winning promotion from the second tier, having led Wolves to the title in 2018.

The Portuguese coach will be hoping to repeat that feat again in 2027, but first he will have to shape the squad for a difficult season ahead.

A number of key players are being linked with a move away from the London Stadium, and that is before the lesser-used players are moved on to make room in the squad.

So it promises to be a busy transfer window for the London outfit, with the market now officially open until 1 September.

Stumbling block emerges in West Ham exit chase

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It has been reported by Claret & Hugh that West Ham face a massive stumbling block in their hopes of offloading Niclas Füllkrug.

It’s believed that there are two clubs currently interested in signing the forward, but that no deal is currently progressing.

The striker’s wages are seen as a major issue, even accounting for a 50 per cent pay cut that he will be taking as a result of the Hammers’ relegation.

There is one side in Germany and another in Italy that would like to take the 33-year-old from West Ham this summer.

However, it’s been claimed that there are concerns over their ability to cover his current salary.

West Ham could have to accept no transfer fee in order to facilitate his permanent exit from the London Stadium, with the Italian side reportedly reluctant to make a transfer offer on top of his contract.

Füllkrug spent the second half of the season on loan with AC Milan, where he made 20 appearances in Serie A after falling out of favour with the Irons.

However, he started on just three occasions and scored just once, with the club missing out on qualification for the Champions League.

Füllkrug signed for the Hammers in 2024 from Borussia Dortmund, but has played just 26 times in the league since then, contributing three goals and two assists.

The German has a contract with West Ham until June 2028, with estimated figures from Capology claiming he is currently receiving £90,000 per week, which will be halved to £45,000-a-week from next season.

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West Ham should cut their losses with Niclas Füllkrug

Some tipped Füllkrug to prove himself as the signing of the season when he joined West Ham in 2024 following a strong showing at the European Championship for Germany.

This only highlights just how much of a failure his signing has proven to be, as he has been unable to make any kind of impact in the side.

Being able to offload him from the squad would be good business, even if it meant foregoing a transfer fee.

West Ham will want to shed as much from the wage bill as possible, and that saving alone should make up for not getting a fee.