West Ham United are in the market for a new striker this summer but Tim Steidten may be ready to switch targets.
The Hammers are embarking on a new era this summer having appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new boss.
Lopetegui has returned to English football after less than a year away and West Ham have been recruiting for his first season in the Hammers hot seat.
Brazilian talent Luis Guilherme, free agent goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers centre back Max Kilman have arrived this summer.
West Ham now want to add another striker but Tim Steidten and co are ready to give up on one target…
West Ham United stance on Jhon Duran
HITC understands that West Ham United have walked away from their talks with Aston Villa over Jhon Duran, refusing to up their offer for the Colombian.
West Ham sources have confirmed that their talks with Villa had seen them get to a deal that would have been worth £35million including add-ons.
The Hammers began talks earlier this month and had progressed to the point that personal terms had been agreed with the 20-year-old.
Duran has made it clear to Villa that he wants to move to the London Stadium this summer.
This time a week ago, Hammers chief Tim Steidten was confident of striking a deal for Duran.
However, with Villa refusing to budge from their £40million valuation, West Ham have walked away and are now looking at other targets.
West Ham’s offer will remain on the table though, unless they progress with another target.
And one of those is German striker Niclas Fullkrug – who Borussia Dortmund are understood to be open to selling this summer.
Atletico Madrid have also been linked with the 31-year-old.
HITC can confirm that Lopetegui, although maintaining his first option is Duran, would be more than happy to bring in Fullkrug and now Hammers chief Tim Steidten is in talks over a prospective deal.
Niclas Fullkrug record
Duran is a young striker at 20 but Fullkurg is on the other end of the spectrum.
The 6ft 2in centre forward is 31 and has bags of experience in German football.
Fullkrug broke through with Werder Bremen but had to leave for first-team action.
The goals were flowing with Nurnberg and Hannover 96, sparking a 2019 return to Werder.
That is where Fullkrug became to gain momentum, smashing 46 goals in 99 games for the club.
Dortmund pounced to sign Fullkrug last summer and he managed 15 goals in all competitions.
Fullkrug also featured for Germany at Euro 2024 and will be no stranger to West Ham’s German technical director Steidten.
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