BREATHTAKING NEWS for the Hammers as Steidten ready to troubleshoot Fullkrug transfer by making “Brazilian” young poacher with 28 dribble success in eight matches as Perfect piece to complete Summerville-Kudus trio.
West Ham’s hierarchy gave new manager Julen Lopetegui a substantial transfer budget, allowing the Spaniard to spend over £100 million on new recruits for his debut season in charge.
However, as expected with nine new first-team additions in one transfer window, the Hammers have yet to hit full stride. Currently, they sit 13th in the Premier League, just above Manchester United after a recent win over the Red Devils at the London Stadium.
Despite the significant investment, one signing has disappointed so far, falling short of the expectations that accompanied his arrival.
Niclas Füllkrug’s West Ham Struggles
Striker Niclas Füllkrug joined from Borussia Dortmund in a £27 million deal, with high hopes of him becoming the club’s primary attacking threat. He had notched up 26 goal contributions in all competitions in the previous season, helping Dortmund reach the Champions League final before falling to Real Madrid.
Despite the initial excitement around his arrival, Füllkrug has struggled at West Ham, with injuries limiting his impact. The 31-year-old has managed only four appearances, totaling just 137 minutes on the field, and has not featured since a loss to Manchester City in late August.
Although Füllkrug has yet to justify his price tag, he still has time to turn things around. However, his place in the starting lineup may be uncertain beyond January, as Lopetegui is reportedly exploring other attacking options in the upcoming transfer window.
West Ham’s Interest in Yuri Alberto
According to TBR, West Ham is one of several Premier League clubs considering a move for Brazilian striker Yuri Alberto from Corinthians in January. Newcastle United and Everton are also linked to the 23-year-old, who has scored six goals in his last five matches and boasts a total of 50 goals in 142 appearances for Corinthians. Alberto could provide an upgrade over Füllkrug, who has yet to find the net this season.
West Ham had previously shown interest in Alberto in 2023, but their bid was turned down by Corinthians. If they manage to secure him this time, he could form an exciting partnership with Mohammed Kudus, who has been impressive with his dribbling and passing this season. Kudus’s stats, including 28 successful dribbles and an 89% pass accuracy rate, suggest he could be a valuable asset in helping Alberto thrive at West Ham.
While the cost of a potential deal for Alberto remains unclear, his recent form highlights his goal-scoring capabilities, which could strengthen Lopetegui’s attacking options. Füllkrug’s ongoing injury issues have left a notable gap in West Ham’s attack, prompting the club’s leadership to consider reinforcements for the forward line.