West Ham & Lazio Considering Swap Deal Involving Celtic Target | OneFootball

Lazio could reportedly send Matteo Cancellieri to West Ham United in exchange for German striker Niclas Fullkrug.

Lazio Need a New Striker

Following Sunday’s friendly test in Ascoli, Gennaro Gattuso reiterated the club’s desire to buy a new centre-back and a new striker. However, the identities of new arrivals remain anyone’s guess, as the Biancocelesti have been linked with a plethora of profiles.

Niklas Fullkrug is on Lazio’s Shortlist

In attack, AC Milan wantaway Santiago Gimenez has been identified as the ‘dream’ target, while Benfica’s Franjo Ivanovic became the latest profile to surface on the scene. Nevertheless, Fullkrug’s name continues to pop up in the news.

Fullkrug Coming Off Poor AC Milan Stint

The 33-year-old is a classic centre-forward who made a name for himself in Germany, before earning a big-money switch from Borussia Dortmund to West Ham in the summer of 2024. Taty Castellanos’ arrival in East London pushed the German out of the club last January, so he joined AC Milan on loan. However, he only scored once in 20 appearances.

This summer, Fullkrug returned to West Ham, who are trying to rebuild following their shocking relegation to the Championship at the end of last season. However, the big centre-forward is expected to depart once more. On the other hand, the Hammers are interested in Cancellieri, who could be on his way out of Lazio this summer, as his contract will expire next year.

Lazio & West Ham Could Swap Fullkrug & Matteo Cancellieri

According to Il Messaggero (via La Lazio Siamo Noi), a swap deal involving Fullkrug and Cancellieri could be brewing, as both clubs would benefit from the double operation. Last month, Celtic were said to be the frontrunners in the race for the Italian winger, but more recent reports claimed that a move to Glasgow is now considered ‘complicated’.

Would Cancellieri Accept a Move to West Ham?

The 24-year-old might be reluctant to join a Championship club, but West Ham’s status and quality should place them as the favorites to earn promotion to the Premier League by the end of the season.