The name Niclas Füllkrug does not ignite fans’ imaginations, but he is one of those profiles that, if placed in the right context, can have a deep impact on a team’s performance. This is the key question: what would really change for Milan with the arrival of the German striker?
If the deal goes through, it should be seen as a choice of balance and pragmatism, rather than a media-driven move. Milan needs offensive certainty and alternative solutions. Füllkrug offers both.
A true striker, the type Milan has long lacked:
The first change would be structural. Füllkrug is a classic number 9, a forward used to operating inside the penalty area, playing with his back to goal, and holding the line even when isolated, writes Milan Press. He is not a constantly mobile forward, but a steady reference point for the attacking play.
In recent years, Milan has often had to adapt its game to the absence of a striker with these traits. With Füllkrug, the team would finally have a stable point of support, capable of occupying opposing defenders and providing depth even when space is limited.
More options against compact defenses:
One of Milan’s most obvious limits has emerged in matches against compact, low-block teams. In those situations, Füllkrug could make a difference. His presence would enhance the value of crosses and wide balls, increase effectiveness on loose balls and second chances, and offer lay-offs and support for midfielders’ runs.
These elements would make the attacking play less predictable and less dependent on through balls or individual moves.
Fullkrug to AC Milan? The latest:
Tactically, Füllkrug’s arrival would give Milan something it currently lacks: a credible plan B. He would allow the team to change its approach during a match, manage the final minutes more effectively, and increase presence in the box at decisive moments. This is not a minor detail in a long season full of twists, surprises, and games that need to be unlocked patiently.
By the way, AC Milan fans, with Füllkrug, may be looking at more stability in attack, and perhaps he might even be that type of striker the club missed since Olivier Giroud's days. If that proves true, many fans based in the UAE may look into getting some of the action thanks to the best UAE betting sites.
Effects on the attack and the locker room:
Füllkrug would not necessarily be a guaranteed starter, but a high-level alternative, able to coexist with more mobile forwards or pair with a second striker in certain situations. His presence would reduce the scoring pressure on other attacking players and increase internal competition, positively affecting overall performance.
There is also a human and mental aspect. He is an internationally experienced player, with a strong presence in the Bundesliga and the German national team, accustomed to competitive environments and high-pressure games. He brings value off the pitch as well, especially during delicate moments of the season.
Could Fullkrug's potential arrival to AC Milan prove decisive?
Actually, Füllkrug’s arrival would not change Milan’s identity, but it would strengthen its weak points. More concreteness, more options, more balance. Not a headline-grabbing move, but the type that makes a difference in the standings over months. These are the choices that reveal the maturity of a sporting project.
What is Fullkrug's role?
Fullkrug, as mentioned, is a striker. He has height and physical presence (1.89 meters, 83 kilograms), is right-footed, and although he holds his position well, he can be appreciated for moving across the entire attacking front. In short, he fits Allegri’s 3-5-2 system, providing strength to the attack and allowing rotation and interchange with players already in the squad: Leao, Pulisic, Nkunku, and Gimenez.
A separate chapter concerns the Mexican player. Gimenez arrived at Milan with much fanfare last winter from Feyenoord but never impressed. His performances were uninspiring, with few goals and missed chances. Now he also faces physical problems, particularly with an ankle injury that prevents him from being available for Allegri. Surgery may be necessary. Consequently, a delayed partnership with Fullkrug raises questions about Gimenez’s future at Milan. In January, alongside a potential arrival of the German from West Ham, his departure could become more than just speculation, according to Goal.com.
What about Santiago Gimenez's physical condition at Milanello?
Santiago Gimenez follows the path of Denzel Dumfries. After a medical consultation yesterday in the Netherlands, the Milan striker decided to undergo surgery on his injured ankle. The injury forced him to stop playing after the 1-1 draw against Atalanta on October 28, a month and a half ago. Since then, the Mexican international followed conservative treatment, which failed to relieve the pain. To solve the problem, he chose to have surgery, which will keep him off the field for at least a couple of months. His return is expected between late February and early March.
The Mexican forward joined AC Milan last January from Feyenoord for 32 million euros, plus 3 million in bonuses and a percentage on a future sale. He is under contract with Milan until June 2029, earning 2.5 million euros net per year. So far, he has scored 7 goals in 30 appearances for the Rossoneri, including only one goal (in the Coppa Italia) in 11 matches this season.
Is Santiago Gimenez available on the transfer list since Milan are looking at signing Fullkrug?
At this point, finding him a place in the upcoming winter transfer window becomes difficult. Sporting director Igli Tare will still need to find a new striker for coach Massimiliano Allegri, as pointed out by 'Calcio Mercato'.
In this context, German striker Niclas Fullkrug (born 1993, former Borussia Dortmund), leaving West Ham on a loan deal, emerges as a candidate. He would serve as a temporary solution ahead of next season, when Milan aims to sign one of two free agents: 1988-born striker Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona or 2000-born Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus, with both their contracts expiring in June 2026.
