West Ham agree deal that may start domino effect but told they still need transfer overhaul to avoid relegation

West Ham and AC Milan have agreed a deal in principle over a loan move for Niclas Fullkrug, talkSPORT understands.

The German forward is set to leave east London just weeks after his agent said his 2024 move from Borussia Dortmund didn’t work out.

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talkSPORT reported last month that West Ham were ready to listen to offers for Fullkrug, who has played only nine matches this season.

He is now on course to join Milan in Serie A in a deal that includes an option to buy, understood to be in excess of £10million.

The move will allow West Ham to find a new striker in the January transfer window in their bid to avoid Premier League relegation.

West Ham striker targets

Jorgen Strand Larsen, the joint-top scorer at strugglers Wolves on three goals, is among the options.

Joshua Zirkzee is another potential name for West Ham given he has made only three starts for Manchester United this season.

However, the Hammers do not believe United will loan the Dutchman to a Premier League club if they were to sanction an exit.

West Ham have several options for the striker role, including Promise David of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Norwich City’s Josh Sargent.

Chris Wood has also been discussed, but no approach has been made for the Nottingham Forest man.

talkSPORT’s Perry Groves has warned that West Ham need another four or five new players ready to play the first-team in order to stay in the Premier League.

“From West Ham’s point of view, the owners have got a massive decision to make. Because they want West Ham obviously in the Premier League,” Groves said on GameDay Live.

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“But in the past I think that they’ve just done enough. They’re just happy with surviving.

“So I just think they’ve got this big dilemma now because West Ham need four or five players in the January transfer window to go straight in the team.

“And they need two centre-halves. Their centre-halves aren’t good enough by any stretch of the imagination.”

Relegation risk for Hammers

Nuno Espirito Santo has won only two of his 12 matches as West Ham boss since his appointment in September.

They were beaten 3-0 by title hopefuls Manchester City on Saturday and are winless in their last six.

West Ham are 18th in the Premier League and sit five points behind Nottingham Forest, who are 17th.

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However, should Forest beat Fulham on Monday night, live on talkSPORT, they will then be six points adrift of top flight safety.

A London derby with Fulham awaits them on December 27, before they end the year with the visit of Brighton three days later.

West Ham are at risk of entering a relegation battle throughout the second half of the season.

They were last relegated from the top flight in 2011 but spent only one season in the Championship.