Nuno Espirito Santo has only just taken charge at West Ham United, but he’s already discovered how poorly some of the club’s recent transfer dealings have been — most notably the signing of Niclas Füllkrug.
The German striker joined the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2024 for around £27 million, according to BBC Sport. Even Füllkrug himself hinted that West Ham may have overpaid, telling SportBILD:
“I don’t know whether BVB – when they signed me a year ago – ever expected to make such a big profit from me.”
After helping Dortmund reach the Champions League final, the experienced forward arrived in London with high expectations. But his time in the Premier League has quickly turned sour, leaving Espirito Santo with a major selection dilemma.
Injury woes and poor return
Füllkrug’s spell at West Ham has been plagued by fitness problems. The 32-year-old is set to miss Monday’s clash with Brentford after tearing a muscle before the international break, and there’s still no clear timeline for his return.
It’s a familiar story — the former Werder Bremen star missed 28 games in his first season with the club. With him sidelined again, Callum Wilson is expected to lead the line against the Bees, though Espirito Santo has also been impressed by academy striker Callum Marshall.
A costly mistake under past leadership
Füllkrug’s ongoing struggles were a key issue during Graham Potter’s short stint as manager, when West Ham’s attack repeatedly faltered. The club’s decision-makers came under fire for spending heavily on a player in his thirties who had never played outside Germany’s Bundesliga.
Now, Espirito Santo inherits a side low on confidence and goals. The Hammers sit 19th in the table after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, having scored just six goals in seven games — none from Füllkrug.
January fix on the horizon
The upcoming transfer window offers a chance to address the team’s lack of firepower. Reports suggest West Ham are considering a move for Chris Wood, who thrived under Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest, scoring 32 goals in 60 appearances and earning a spot in the 2024–25 PFA Team of the Year.
However, the Irons will tread carefully before committing another hefty sum. Wood turns 34 in December — and after the costly Füllkrug misstep, West Ham can ill afford another expensive gamble.