PREMIER LEAGUE RIVALS STUNNED AS NICLAS FüLLKRUG REFUSES TEMPTING TRANSFER OFFER
West Ham flop Niclas Füllkrug wants to leave the club and return to the Bundesliga. The striker, who has only scored 3 goals, has no interest in joining another Premier League side like Fulham.
Striker shuts down Premier League rivals’ approach, boosting West Ham confidence - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Niclas Fullkrug, a striker for West Ham United, has expressed no interest in joining another Premier League team, according to TEAMtalk.
The German striker paid £27 million to join the Hammers during the summer transfer window last year.
But things have not gone as planned for him since he moved to the Premier League.
Despite playing 27 games for the team, the 32-year-old forward has only managed to score three goals.
According to reports, Fullkrug has been given the all-clear by West Ham to depart the team during the January transfer window following his lacklustre tenure.
Niclas Fullkrug wants to leave
The former attacker for Borussia Dortmund has now made the decision that he wants to leave the Premier League.
The attacker has been linked to a move to Fulham, but if his time with West Ham ends next year, he has made the decision not to join them or any other Premier League team.
The German striker wants to join a team where he can regain his goal-scoring ability since he regrets moving to the Hammers and the Premier League.
According to the source, Hamburg and Wolfsburg are the two teams interested in reintroducing the striker to the Bundesliga.
The striker for West Ham has failed with the team.
The Hammers' once promising move has now become a nightmare for both the team and the player.
Fullkrug might be a part of a trade that would bring Santiago Gimenez, a striker for AC Milan, to the Hammers.
In addition to the German striker, another West Ham player who may be leaving the team during the upcoming January transfer window is Guido Rodriguez.
UNAI EMERY EYES MAN CITY TARGET WHILE VILLA CHASE REAL MADRID STAR
Aston Villa are targeting Man City's James Trafford as a potential long-term successor for Emiliano Martinez. The club has also made a formal offer for Real Madrid's young striker Gonzalo Garcia.
Emery turns to City man amid Villa Madrid pursuit - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Aston Villa reportedly "turned to" a Manchester City star, while Real Madrid received a "formal offer" from them.
Six months after losing out on Champions League status on the last day of the 2024–2025 season, Aston Villa has experienced a wild ride.
Due to their limited summertime market activity and the rumoured departures of Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, and Emiliano Martinez, they had to cut their transfer budget.
Unai Emery's team bought Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho in the closing days of the summer in an attempt to turn around their disastrous summer, but they had a dismal start to the current campaign.
After struggling offensively and starting the season in the relegation zone, the Villans have improved in recent weeks, leaping to sixth place in the Premier League standings.
In order to improve their chances of making it to the Champions League the following season, Villa may try to make up for their dismal summer during the winter transfer window.
Martinez is nearing the end of his career, and Manchester United targeted him in the summer, so finding a replacement goalkeeper will be one of Aston Villa's top concerns.
According to a Football Insider story, Aston Villa has "turned to" James Trafford, a star for Man City, who is "increasingly certain" to depart Pep Guardiola's team next year, either on loan or permanently.
Trafford rejoined Man City in the summer, but Gianluigi Donnarumma took his spot as their starting goalie for a few weeks.
Aston Villa is keeping an eye on Trafford, who may depart to get more playing time before the World Cup next summer.
Villa believes Trafford is a good substitute for Martinez and might eventually take his place as the team's starting goalie.
"Sources believe that Trafford's departure from Man City next year, possibly on an initial loan, is becoming more and more likely."
Gonzalo Garcia of Real Madrid is reportedly a target for Aston Villa as well. According to Fichajes, the Spanish powerhouses have received "formal proposals" from the Villans, Sunderland, and Wolves totalling about 20 million euros.
After receiving multiple official proposals for Gonzalo García, one of the young jewels attracting the most interest in England, Real Madrid has started to advance its transfer agenda. According to the reports
"The 21-year-old striker has become a top target for several Premier League clubs after excelling in both the youth academy and first-team training, creating an unexpected situation for Real Madrid."
CARLOS BALEBA HINTS AT MAN UNITED MOVE IN CRYPTIC POST
Brighton's Carlos Baleba posted a cryptic social media message after Cameroon's World Cup exit, sparking fresh transfer speculation. The midfielder has been linked with a big-money move, including to Manchester United.
Baleba struggled to show Man Utd what he's capable of at Old Trafford - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Carlos Baleba's social media post has sparked new rumours about his future.
After Cameroon's hopes of winning the World Cup were dashed, the Brighton midfielder posted a mysterious message.
Baleba started Thursday's play-off semi-final between the Indomitable Lions and DR Congo.
However, the 21-year-old was sent off at halftime after receiving a booking in the first half, just before his team gave up a goal in stoppage time.
The outcome eliminates Cameroon's chances of making it to the finals in Canada, Mexico, and the USA the following summer.
After qualifying for the World Cup in 2010, 2014, and 2022, it would have been the fourth time in five tournaments.
Remain modest! In response to Carlos Baleba's Manchester United connections, Fabian Hurzeler
Baleba, who made his senior international debut last summer, lost in the play-offs in his eleventh appearance.
Cameroon are preparing to return to action at the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
Baleba has already sent a message on social media in response to Thursday's loss.
He reposted a picture of Joao Pedro, a former Brighton teammate, on his Instagram account along with an inspirational saying.
Pedro is seen in the photo celebrating scoring for Chelsea after leaving the Seagulls in the summer.
"Don’t try to rush what God is taking time to prepare" is the caption that goes with the picture.
The transfer future of Baleba
Only a few months have passed since Manchester United expressed serious interest in acquiring Baleba.
A potential destination during the summer transfer window was the Red Devils.
But as Brighton put a £115 million price tag on the former Lille player, their interest waned.
Baleba still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal, with the club maintaining the option to extend it through to 2029.
Baleba had a poor start to the new season for Fabian Hurzeler's team after the transfer rumours.
He was substituted out at halftime three times in the season's first seven Premier League games.
But since then, Baleba has started all four of Brighton's league games and contributed at least 59 minutes in each contest.
Additionally, he has appeared in all 14 of their games in every competition.