'Madness': Ex West Ham striker says £52m transfer news has 'done my head in'

Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee has shared his frustration at the club's transfer business over the past 12 months amid reports that Niclas Fullkrug and Luis Guilherme could leave the London Stadium this month.

The attacking duo have only been in London for six months, having been recruited by Julen Lopetegui following his arrival last summer. West Ham forked out £27 million to sign Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund with £25 million spent on Brazilian youngster Luis Guilherme from Palmeiras.

Fullkrug had been linked with a move to Juventus earlier this month as he struggled to adjust to the Premier League in an injury-ravaged first season. At that time, the striker had been returning from injury but has since picked up a fresh problem, which could end any interest from the Serie A outfit.

Hammers could sell £52m duo

Meanwhile, West Ham are supposedly already prepared to sell Guilherme to a Saudi Arabian side to make back the £25 million spent with the winger having made just six first team appearances for the club. The 18-year-old had been tipped for big things but does not appear to be in the thoughts of Graham Potter.

That careless transfer strategy has irked Cottee, who spent two years at West Ham between 1994 and 1996, especially with the club trying and failing to impress Aston Villa with bids for the in-form John Duran.

Speaking exclusively to LondonWorld via BetSelect, Cottee was asked if the club should cut its losses on Fullkrug. He said: "I think they've already got into that territory. Obviously, the young lad, the Brazilian, Luis Guilherme, signed for 25 million, and they're already talking about going to Saudi Arabia. It's not sure what's going on. That's the frustrating thing.

"I mean, it was £25 million for the Brazilian. I think it was £27 for Fullkrug, that's £52 million. And yet West Ham could pay an extra £3 million for Jhon Duran?

Cottee: West Ham transfers have ‘done my head in’

"Honestly, it's done my head in over the last six months. Why didn't they do what everyone said they should have done? It was just an absolute madness not to do it. Unfortunately for Niclas, it's a lot of money for a 31-year-old. They haven't really spent their money wisely, and that's a real worry as a West Ham fan. But only time will tell. I think, with any transfer, you just don't know.

"You can be fantastic with a club, and you go to the next club, and they say, hold on, did we sign the right player, or did we sign this twin brother? Because you literally can't work out why the guy is so good there, not so good there. It happens a lot more than what you actually think.

"It does come back to, I think, settling in. Obviously, Niclas is German. He's just trying to settle in London. He might not like it. I don't know. But there's so much that comes into it. Then, of course, he's had an injury after the injury, which doesn't help.

"So I think it will naturally run its course, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets sold back to another German club at the end of the season. If he does, I don't think he'll be going for 27 million, it'll be a lot less than that."