Real Madrid are reportedly eyeing West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug, just as the Hammers head into a crucial transfer window with an already thinned-out squad. The claim, which stems from a Spanish outlet ‘Fichajes.net’ and has been picked up by Claret & Hugh, raises serious questions over what comes next at the London Stadium.
According to the report, new Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is in the market for a forward with experience and a strong European track record. Fullkrug, surprisingly, has landed on their radar. His profile: physical, battle-tested, and goal-hungry seems to tick the right boxes.
Wrong Timing, Wrong Window?
For West Ham, the timing couldn’t be worse. With at least seven senior players already out the door following contract expiries and loan returns, the squad is stretched thin. Selling their only striker now wouldn’t just weaken the attack, it would deepen the growing sense of instability.
To make matters worse, we have the uncertainty around the futures of Mohammed Kudus, Nayef Aguerd, and Lucas Paquetá. All three are considered potential high-value exits if the club decides to generate cash. In that context, the idea of letting Fullkrug go feels more like a gamble than a strategy.
Graham Potter’s Dilemma
Then there’s the Graham Potter factor. The new boss inherits a dressing room in flux, and his view on Fullkrug could be decisive. Internally, the German striker is seen by some as injury-prone and overly critical. That kind of label might not sit well with Potter, who’ll be looking to build a tight-knit, cohesive group.
But fans won’t care about internal politics. Fullkrug has support in the stands, and any decision to sell him, especially without a ready-made replacement, will not go down quietly.
Claret & Hugh make the point clear. Offloading Fullkrug without a plan could cause unrest, particularly with so many other holes to plug in the squad. Real Madrid might be a flattering suitor, but that does not make the potential departure any easier to swallow.
Right now, West Ham aren’t in a position to casually lose key players. And if they are, supporters will want to know exactly what the plan is.
