‘West Ham push to get rid of Fullkrug after lucrative Paqueta plan dashed’

West Ham are eager to sell striker Niclas Fullkrug this summer after missing out on a major financial windfall through the sale of Lucas Paqueta.

The Hammers endured a disappointing campaign in 2024/25, and the German international was one of those who found things difficult.

Having only joined from Borussia Dortmund last summer, Fullkrug was plagued by injuries during his first season with West Ham.

Even when he did get himself fit and regularly available later in the campaign, the 32-year-old struggled to find the net on a regular basis.

Beyond that, Fullkrug raised eyebrows with a scathing rant about his West Ham teammates after a 1-1 draw against bottom side Southampton.

Niclas Fullkrug up for new transfer move

Despite only signing a contract until the summer of 2028 when he arrived at the club, the German could soon be on his way out of the London Stadium.

According to a new update from The Guardian, the Hammers will have to sell players this summer if they are to invest in signings without finding themselves at risk of being punished for breaching PSR.

It is stated that Fullkrug is among the high earners West Ham are “keen” to sell, along with the likes of midfielder Edson Alvarez and defender Nayef Aguerd, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad.

They had apparently been hoping to raise a sizeable fee from the sale of Lucas Paqueta, although hopes of that were ended by betting charges brought against the Brazilian by the FA, which he denies.

Prior to those charges, Man City had been plotting a move to sign Paqueta from West Ham, with the 27-year-old having scored 18 goals in 120 appearances since moving to the London Stadium in 2022.

West Ham striker sale makes sense

Football Insider Verdict

There is no denying that Graham Potter needs to have his squad strengthened in the transfer window after what was such an underwhelming season.

If that means the club need to sell players, then it is understandable that Fullkrug may be one of those who is moved on.

At 32-years-old, the striker is approaching the latter stages of his career, and so this may be the last chance for West Ham to sell him where clubs would be willing to pay a decent fee if Potter doesn’t think he fits.

Having never really hit top form in front of goal either last season thanks to injury, the Hammers may feel they can afford to let him go in that respect too, although there were some encouraging signs late in the campaign.

The German’s outspoken response to poor performances down the stretch resonated with fans and the club’s record of buying strikers is poor, so it would be something of a risk to move him on.

Meanwhile, West Ham fans have previously called for the sale of Alvarez, while the fact Aguerd was loaned out shows he is out of the picture at the London Stadium as well.

With that in mind, these three may be the sort of sales that do indeed make sense for the Hammers, especially if they are taking out a significant portion of the wage budget for little return.