Niclas Füllkrug’s future is once again under scrutiny as doubts grow over whether AC Milan will trigger their €5m option to sign the West Ham striker permanently this summer.
The 33-year-old joined Milan on loan during the January transfer window after an injury-hit spell in east London. At the time, the move was viewed as a sensible reset. Milan were chasing Champions League qualification and required an experienced centre-forward. Füllkrug, meanwhile, needed rhythm and trust after struggling for continuity at West Ham.
Two months on, the picture looks less certain.
Niclas Füllkrug’s AC Milan loan under pressure
Füllkrug has found starts hard to come by in Serie A. He scored a late winner against Lecce earlier in his loan spell but has not held down a regular place in the starting XI. A missed penalty against Pisa further dented confidence and drew criticism from sections of the support.
According to MilanNews, German journalist Patrick Strasser has now questioned both the striker’s original move to West Ham and his long-term prospects in Italy.
“I think he should never have left Dortmund, also because it wasn’t a good idea to go to West Ham and the Premier League, a league too fast for him. Also because he’s a classic old-school striker, a penalty area striker.” — Patrick Strasser, via MilanNews
Strasser also cast doubt on Milan activating the purchase clause.
“I don’t think so. He has to score and prove he deserves a new contract.” — Patrick Strasser, via MilanNews
That assessment aligns with reporting in Italy suggesting the Rossoneri are unconvinced.
Why the West Ham decision is being questioned
West Ham paid over €20m to sign Füllkrug in 2024, expecting his Bundesliga pedigree to translate into Premier League output. However, recurring injuries disrupted momentum and limited his tactical integration.
Having followed West Ham closely last season, it was clear the pace and transitional nature of the Premier League demanded more mobility than Füllkrug naturally offers. He thrives as a penalty-box reference point, not as a striker tasked with stretching defences over distance.
That stylistic mismatch is now being revisited in Germany, with the view emerging that leaving Borussia Dortmund may have been a miscalculation.
However, it remains too early to declare the Milan spell a failure. The purchase option stands at just €5m, a relatively low-risk figure in modern transfer terms. A short scoring run could quickly change the narrative.
What It Means for West Ham
Should Milan decline the option, West Ham would face a difficult financial and tactical decision. Reintegrating a 33-year-old striker who has struggled with injuries would require a clear role within the squad. Alternatively, the club may look to cut losses and seek a reduced transfer fee elsewhere. Either scenario affects summer planning, particularly if attacking reinforcements are already on the agenda.
Key Insights
- AC Milan hold a €5m option to sign Niclas Füllkrug permanently.
- The striker has struggled for starts despite scoring against Lecce.
- A missed penalty against Pisa intensified scrutiny.
- German media believe his move to West Ham was tactically flawed.
- Fitness concerns remain a decisive factor in any permanent deal.
What’s Next?
Milan’s decision is likely to hinge on Füllkrug’s output in the final months of the 2025/26 season. If he can deliver five or six crucial goals, particularly in the race for European qualification, the €5m clause becomes attractive.
If not, he will return to West Ham this summer, leaving the Hammers to reassess their striker options. Much will depend on his fitness record between now and May 2026.
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