West Ham have a 'huge problem' with Niclas Fullkrug - Insider

West Ham will be asked ‘serious questions’ amid growing concerns around the fitness of Niclas Fullkrug, according to the club’s former scout.

Mick Brown, who worked at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains well-connected at the club, exclusively told Football Insider that fitness levels were part of the season the German was sold in the summer.

Fullkrug, 31, has yet to start a league game since his £27.5million move from Borussia Dortmund, and has missed the last six games across all competitions with an achilles tendon issue.

This comes after reports claimed the Hammers are “very concerned” about the striker’s fitness after missing longer than expected with the injury blow.

The Germany international had previously missed a number of games for Dortmund, Germany, and going back to his days at Werder Bremen with muscle and tendon issues.

As a result, Brown has insisted the club should have flagged those fitness issues as a concern and either pulled out of the deal or taken steps to aid with his fitness.

However, those measures were seemingly not taken, and the club have once again been left short of options to lead the line.

West Ham asked ‘serious questions’ after Niclas Fullkrug update

As Football Insider revealed, West Ham are planning to enter the transfer market for a new striker amid growing concerns about Fullkrug, raising further questions.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience working with players at the top level including a spell as Sir Alex Ferguson’s number two, insisted that the 31-year-old’s fitness is not likely to improve at this stage, and questioned why he was handed a four-year deal.

“He had a few issues during his time in Germany with his fitness,” he told Football Insider.

“That, I’ve heard, played a part in the reason Dortmund were keen to let him go.

“So if that was an issue, and it was known in Germany, you’ve got to ask serious questions about why it was overlooked by West Ham.

“Paying almost £30million for a 31-year-old is always risky, but spending that money on a player with fitness issues at that age is a huge problem.

“Of course, you can never predict that a player might pick up an injury, these things happen.

“But if he’s missing longer than expected because of his fitness, that’s something you should know.

“West Ham should have known about any issues with his fitness before they signed him.

“Then, you either don’t move forward with the deal or you take steps to help the situation, help him with his fitness and his recovery.

“If he’s having these types of fitness and recovery issues at 31, it’s not likely to get much better, but they gave him a four-year contract.”

In other news, a “dangerous” Julen Lopetegui sack update has emerged.

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