West Ham United and manager Julen Lopetegui are considering whether to move for a free agent striker after summer signing Niclas Fullkrug's injury blow.
Fullkrug suffers injury for Germany in worry for West Ham
Fullkrug, who signed for West Ham in a £27 million deal from Borussia Dortmund in early August, missed Germany's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Tuesday evening after sustaining an achilles tendon injury.
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Lopetegui is dipping into the free agent market.
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The 31-year-old has played 63 Premier League minutes under Lopetegui thus far, making three appearances off the substitute's bench, with Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann confirming he won't feature against Fulham this weekend.
"Unfortunately, the area is a bit problematic because it's the transition to the Achilles tendon at the bottom of the calf," said Nagelsmann on Fullkrug's injury.
"If something were to happen, it would be long-term. That's why we're not taking any risks. He will have to take a few days off. He will not be playing in the Premier League at the weekend."
Fullkrug has since returned to West Ham for a medical assessment, with Lopetegui set to find out the extent of his injury as the Hammers await a further medical diagnosis.
West Ham summer signings
From
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Max Kilman
Wolves
€47.5m
Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United
€29.3m
Niclas Fullkrug
Borussia Dortmund
€27m
Luis Guilherme
Palmeiras
€23m
Mohamadou Kante
Paris FC
Undisclosed
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Man Utd
€18m
Wes Foderingham
Sheffield United
Free transfer
Guido Rodriguez
Real Betis
Free transfer
Jean-Clair Todibo
Nice
Loan transfer
Carlos Soler
PSG
Loan transfer
West Ham summer departures
To
Fee (Transfermarkt)
Flynn Downes
Southampton
€17.85m
James Ward-Prowse
Nottingham Forest
Loan
Maxwel Cornet
Southampton
Loan
Nayef Aguerd
Real Sociedad
Loan
Kurt Zouma
Al-Orobah
Loan
Said Benrahma
Lyon
€14.4m
Angelo Ogbonna
Watford
Free transfer
Thilo Kehrer
Monaco
€11m
Nathan Trott
FC Copenhagen
€1.5m
Ben Johnson
Ipswich Town
Free transfer
Joseph Anang
St. Patrick's Athletic
Free transfer
“West Ham have confirmed an injury to new forward signing and German international Fullkrug,” said insider ExWHUemployee.
“A top source confirmed that the player will be out for Germany’s game and is returning to West Ham for treatment. The injury is thought to be an Achilles heal tendon and calf injury and the club will monitor and scan the injury to get an official diagnosis of how serious the injury is.
“The source finished with saying “he hates international breaks” and I think as fans we all agree. We will keep you updated.”
West Ham consider signing free agent striker after Fullkrug injury
The free agent market is still a solution for Tim Steidten and co in regards to bringing in more talent after the transfer window, and they can still choose to sign one until the Premier League squad submission deadline on Friday evening.
West Ham have been in talks with ex-Sheffield United stalwart John Egan, who played in a behind-closed-doors friendly for the Irons against Dagenham and Redbridge last week.
According to GiveMeSport, West Ham have considered signing a free agent striker after Fullkrug's injury – with the severity of his problem set to determine whether Lopetegui deems it a priority.
The east Londoners apparently refuse to rule out the possibility of bringing in a quick-fire replacement for Fullkrug and did ponder a swoop for ex-Barcelona forward Memphis Depay, before the Dutchman joined Corinthians.
If West Ham don't opt to make a Bosman attacking signing, out-of-favour striker Danny Ings is thought to be ready to seize an opportunity to impress under Lopetegui.