West Ham are closing in on deals for Borussia Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug and Argentine international defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez. The double breakthrough comes after Leeds United attacker Crysencio Summerville successfully completed the second part of his medical on Friday after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the Dutchman, who is now likely to meet his new team-mates when they return from their pre-season tour of the United States. The Hammers have been in productive negotiations with last season's Champions League finalists Dortmund all week over a deal for Fullkrug, 31, and it's understood an agreement is now close after two previous bids were rebuffed. German reports suggest a move worth an initial £23million plus £3.5m in add-ons has now been sealed between the sides, although sources are yet to disclose to Mirror Football that a total agreement is in place.
However, it's believed plans are now taking shape for Fullkrug - who wanted the move amid interest from Stuttgart, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid this summer - to undergo a medical ahead of a switch to east London despite travelling to Switzerland with Dortmund for a pre-season training camp on Thursday. He will sign a two-year contract with a 12-month option.
Meanwhile, free agent Rodriguez, is poised to undergo a medical this weekend ahead of signing a potential three-year deal with the Irons following his release from Real Betis. The 30-year-old defensive midfielder was also wanted by Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce and was part of the Argentina side that won both the 2022 World Cup and Copa America last month. West Ham have been heavily pursuing Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran but Villa have played hardball during talks for the Colombian and a deal has proven complex.
Their latest bid worth £32m plus an academy player, believed to be talented midfielder Lewis Orford, was rejected by Unai Emery's side at the back end of July. Duran wanted the move and even flirted with the Hammers during an Instagram live when he crossed his arms to make an Irons-shaped gesture. It seems unlikely West Ham will continue to work on this deal if they do indeed land Fullkrug. Technical director Tim Steidten has been central to West Ham's transfer business and his work this summer appears far from over as Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka remains a top target for Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham are yet to match United's reported £15m asking price for the defender, who has less than one year remaining on his current Old Trafford contract. United are expecting a fresh bid from West Ham for Wan-Bissaka, who is now said to have agreed personal terms with the Hammers despite initial hesitation while away on the Red Devils' pre-season tour of the USA.
A £27m agreement, a loan with purchase option, was agreed with Nice for central defender Jean-Clair Todibo earlier in the window but the ex-United target has been holding out for Juventus, who are yet to agree a transfer fee with the French outfit.
If West Ham are unable to sign Todibo, it's thought they will re-explore the central defensive market.