West Ham United’s summer transfer window was a mixed bag. Some signings have shown promise, but the £27 million acquisition of Niclas Fullkrug is quickly becoming a costly blunder.
Manager Julen Lopetegui revealed in his pre-match press conference today that Fullkrug’s latest setback is more serious than initially anticipated.
“Fullkrug is out. He’s not working with us, so I think he is going to be out for a lot of time more, unfortunately,” Lopetegui said (via the Evening Standard). “I am not a doctor, I don’t know. He started with a little injury, and step by step, it’s more complicated.”
The German international’s persistent injury woes have left the Hammers short-manned in attack, and his latest setback is a frustrating blow to the club’s hopes of climbing the Premier League table.
The Hammers have a must-win clash against Everton this weekend. They are 14th on the league log with 11 points after ten games.
The 31-year-old is yet to start a Hammers league game, making three substitute appearances. His inability to stay fit has severely limited his impact.
West Ham must address their striker shortage with the January transfer window on the horizon. Michail Antonio has been a loyal servant to the club, but his form has been inconsistent.
Jarrod Bowen, while talented, is not a natural striker. The Hammers need a reliable goalscorer to alleviate the pressure on Antonio and Bowen.
Several potential options should be explored in the winter transfer market. Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez has found game time hard in Merseyside and could be tempted with a guaranteed starting berth.
Lille forward Jonathan David is another option. The Canadian’s contract expires in 2025, and the Hammers might tempt Les Dogues to sell in January with a cheeky bid.
West Ham cannot afford another misstep in the transfer market. The club needs to learn from the Fullkrug debacle and bring in a striker who can make an immediate impact.