West Ham is making significant progress in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Füllkrug, according to Sky Sports. The broadcaster reported on July 31 that negotiations are ongoing regarding the structure of the transfer fee and the player’s personal terms.
Talks are reportedly moving in a positive direction, with the Hammers increasingly confident that a deal can be reached for the 31-year-old German international. Manager Julen Lopetegui has emphasized the need for a new striker ahead of the 2024/25 season, given that only Michail Antonio and Danny Ings are currently available.
While both Antonio and Ings are expected to remain in London, Ings has been out of the starting lineup for an extended period, and Antonio’s injury history is a concern. West Ham had been considering Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, but the focus may shift to securing Füllkrug instead.
Füllkrug attracted attention at Euro 2024, scoring as a substitute against Scotland and Switzerland, and helping Germany reach the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Spain. He has scored 13 goals in 21 appearances for his national team and earned a call-up after impressive performances for Werder Bremen.
With a remarkable goalscoring record of 46 goals in 99 appearances, Füllkrug’s move to Dortmund was well-deserved, where he has netted 15 goals in 43 matches. Despite his large stature, he has demonstrated quick and intelligent movement in the final third and possesses a powerful right foot.
If Füllkrug joins West Ham, he will likely receive numerous opportunities to score in the Premier League, supported by attackers Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen, and Mohammed Kudus.
In other news, West Ham has received a boost in their efforts to sign Ivan Toney.
