Niclas Füllkrug Deal Collapses: Serie A Club Finds Striker Too Expensive

Niclas Füllkrug's future remains uncertain as a potential permanent move to Serie A appears to be off the table.

According to reports, Italian top-flight newcomers FC Venezia have decided against signing Füllkrug. The transfer fee demanded by West Ham was deemed too high by the northern Italian club, with whom the striker had reportedly already reached an agreement, as per reports. The exact amount West Ham was seeking was not disclosed in the report.

Füllkrug's search for a new club is set to continue, as he has no future at West Ham. He has not been assigned a squad number by the relegated Championship side, with his former number 11 now worn by Taty. Füllkrug was not part of the squad for West Ham's League Cup opener against Portsmouth (3-1) on Saturday. According to media reports, the 33-year-old is currently not even permitted to train with the team. West Ham's stance is clear: despite a contract valid until 2028, Füllkrug is expected to depart before the transfer window closes in early September.

Will Speculation Around Niclas Füllkrug and Werder Bremen Reignite?

West Ham had paid Borussia Dortmund a hefty €27 million for Füllkrug in 2024. However, the 24-time German international failed to meet the London club's expectations, partly due to recurring injury problems. As things didn't work out in England, Füllkrug was loaned to AC Milan at the beginning of the year. One of his aims was to impress enough for a spot in Germany's World Cup squad. That plan spectacularly failed, with Füllkrug scoring only once in 20 appearances for Milan and being overlooked by former national coach Julian Nagelsmann for the World Cup. As expected, AC Milan did not exercise their option to buy, and Füllkrug has temporarily returned to West Ham.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the striker who is currently in limbo. In recent months, there had been ongoing speculation about a potential return to Werder Bremen. However, the northern German club has since signed Cedric Itten as a new centre-forward. In Italian media, two other Serie A clubs, Fiorentina and Lazio Rome, have recently been linked with Füllkrug.