West Ham have been given hope of signing a “special” striker in January amid manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s damning update on Niclas Füllkrug, with the importance of bringing in a new centre-forward brought even further to the forefront.
West Ham given Niclas Fullkrug update after thigh injury
Now confirmed by Nuno, the injury-prone Fullkrug is set to be out for “a while”, with Standard Sport reporting that West Ham are waiting on scan results to determine his exact recovery period.
“Fullkrug is injured and will be out for a while,” Nuno told DAZN Portugal.
“For this specific position, we have Callum Wilson. We also have a young kid [Marshall], who already came on in the last game.
“But we will have to find solutions as a team. [A solution to Fullkrug’s injury] will have to be found.”
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, after West Ham’s striker was excluded from the international squad to face Luxembourg and Wales, announced that Fullkrug torn a muscle bundle in his thigh and Kicker stated he could face “several weeks” out.
The 32-year-old’s injury is a significant blow for West Ham, compounding the club’s ongoing striker shortage. Fullkrug, who has been battling persistent fitness issues ever since joining the Hammers last year, is now set for a likely significant spell out — leaving Nuno with very limited options.
Brentford (home)
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Leeds United (away)
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Burnley (home)
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With Fullkrug sidelined, West Ham are left relying primarily on Callum Marshall, a promising but inexperienced young striker, and Callum Wilson, whose own injury history raises questions about his ability to consistently lead the line.
This lack of attacking depth puts considerable pressure on Nuno, and the tactician could even be tempted to play winger Jarrod Bowen up front, as the Englishman has done in the past.
In any case, the message is clear — West Ham need a new striker in January.
In the build up to winter, the Irons have been linked with a host of intriguing options, including Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney and Man United’s Josh Zirkzee.
One insider reported this week that West Ham have been offered an unnamed forward who “fits the bill” on loan, and while we’re just speculating, it could well be Real Madrid starlet Endrick.
The Brazilian, who’s struggled to play his way into Real’s first team due to a combination of injuries and fierce competition for places, was reportedly open to the prospect of a London Stadium loan move last January.
Given he’s yet to play a single minute under Xabi Alonso this term, the idea of a temporary Premier League move could well appeal to the 19-year-old once again, and journalist Dean Jones has shared a positive update on West Ham’s hopes of signing Endrick.
West Ham given Endrick transfer hope after Real Madrid update
Speaking to TEAMtalk, Jones reports there is “very little doubt” that he’ll be offered the chance to leave in January if his game time continues to be limited, and West Ham are genuine contenders to sign Endrick on a short-term basis.
“Endrick is probably going to be the target of loan offers in January, and it makes sense to me that West Ham are one of the clubs that put forward a proposal,” Jones said.
“It has been a tricky start to the season for the player, firstly because of injury, but then because of a struggle for minutes.
“If he is still not playing by the end of the year, then there is very little doubt that he is going to be offered the chance to move elsewhere. A permanent move is out of the question right now. But a loan to get him firing? I can see it being possible.
“West Ham are not looking in a particularly strong position right now to lure him away from the Bernabeu – but they would try.
“I reported this week how a young striker is wanted by the Hammers in January. Endrick is actually younger than they have been expected to go for, but he has a special level of quality that means they would go for it.
“They have been interested in him for a long time.”
The South American, who scored 21 goals in 82 senior appearances for Palmeiras before joining Real, despite his very young age, is still one of the most promising young Brazilians in world football.
Despite his limited appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, Endrick actually played a key role during Real’s run to the Copa del Rey final last season — bagging five goals in the competition and scoring in nearly every game before their loss to Barcelona.
Endrick’s arrival would be a real statement of intent from the heavily criticised West Ham board, and perhaps exactly the calibre of signing they need up top.