By Conor Hogan

West Ham striker Niclas Füllkrug has been linked with a return to Germany – but there may be obstacles in the way. 

The 32-year-old appears destined to leave East London in January after a difficult spell at London Stadium.

Reports suggest the German international could head back to the Bundesliga, with VfL Wolfsburg interested in his services. According to Claret & Hugh, the club’s incoming director of football, Pirmin Schwegler, is an admirer and keen to bring him in. 

However, Füllkrug’s significant wages present a major hurdle. He earns over £100,000 per week, a figure Wolfsburg would struggle to meet.

As a result, Schwegler is expected to propose a loan deal with West Ham covering part of the wages. 

While far from ideal for the Irons, such a move could still free up wage expenses for Nuno Espírito Santo to recruit a new centre-forward in January.

Füllkrug has endured a tough Premier League spell, scoring just three goals since his 2024 arrival and spending much of the last 18 months injured. 

Though he has shown flashes of real quality and seems to understand the expectations of Hammers fans, he has never produced consistently and now often looks ambivalent on the pitch.

A departure would suit all parties – but only if West Ham ensure a replacement is lined up. Callum Wilson has impressed recently, but given his injury record, another spell on the sidelines feels inevitable. 

Without a senior striker, Nuno would be forced to use Bowen, Marshall, Paquetá or even Souček up front – far from ideal.

Füllkrug’s exit seems inevitable, but the financial obstacles facing Wolfsburg may buy West Ham valuable time to negotiate with attacking targets. At least one must be signed if the German leaves, even on loan.