West Ham close in on £27m deal for Niclas Fullkrug

West Ham are close to finalising the signing of Germany international striker Niclas Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund for around £27 million in a huge deal for a 31-year-old.

Fullkrug enjoyed an impressive season in Dortmund, scoring 15 goals in 46 appearances and also helped the German side reach the Champions League final.

But given he only spent one season in Dortmund, after signing from Werder Bremen for just £12.6 million a year ago, the size of the fee will raise eyebrows.

It will also be perceived as a gamble by new manager Julen Lopetegui, who has persuaded the Hammers board to spend heavily on a player who will turn 32 in February.

West Ham, though, have been desperate to sign a striker this summer and Fullkrug fits the mould for the type of player Lopetegui was looking for.

There had been some speculation that the club’s interest in Fullkrug was a ruse to force Aston Villa to agree a price on the much younger striker Jhon Duran, but the German is now heading to East London.

Fullkrug also scored twice for his national team at the European Championship earlier this summer and will offer a direct threat leading the line.

There had been reports in Italy that AC Milan were attempting to hijack the deal but Dortmund released a statement on Saturday confirming Fullkrug had left their pre-season training camp. Although they did not name West Ham, it is understood the player is already in London for a medical.

“Niclas Fullkrug left the training camp in Bad Ragaz on Saturday morning,” Dortmund’s statement said. “Borussia Dortmund has released the striker for talks with another club.”

West Ham have been one of the busier Premier League clubs this summer as they look to revamp the squad for new manager Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes.

The club have already signed former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Max Kilman for £40 million, Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras for £25.5 million and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham from Sheffield United.

They are also close to sealing a move for Leeds United winger Crysencio Summerville and retain an interest in Manchester United full back Aaron Wan-Bissaka.