Michail Antonio set for ‘complicated’ contract at West Ham amid fitness update
Michail Antonio could earn a new contract at West Ham ahead of its expiry at the end of the season.
The Jamaica international suffered a horrific injury in a car crash in December but is well on the road to recovery in East London.
With that being said, there has been plenty of discussion surrounding the future of the 34-year-old, especially as his current deal ticks down.
The prospect of a new contract has now been discussed which could all depend on the performances of Antonio after his injury at the London Stadium.
Antonio could be offered West Ham contract extension
It is fair to say that the former Nottingham Forest man is striving to make a return with Graham Potter’s side before the end of the campaign.
This has been confirmed by his international manager, Steve McClaren, who shared an update during the most recent international break.
The Jamaica head coach said: “He [Antonio] is confident he’ll be back and [he’s] aiming for summer, or our qualifying group in September, October and November.”
If that is to be the case, a new contract could be on the table with the Irons and former Brentford and Leicester City manager Martin Allen has outlined the potential complexities of a new deal.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Allen said: “I think it will be a very complicated contract.
“I would offer him one more year, if he plays a certain amount of games, another year could be activated. If he makes ten starts, his wages can go up to what he is on now, which is a high number.
“Before they pay him that, they will want to know that he can play at the same standard that he was playing at before his injury.
“It’s got to be an incentive-based contract but I would definitely give him one year on a low salary, knowing he’s got to get up to speed before getting back to his usual pay.“
Antonio deserves new West Ham contract
To be ruled out through an injury suffered in a car crash can’t be the way that a legend like Antonio finishes his Hammers career.
The forward is the all time top scorer for the Irons in the Premier League and certainly adds something different to the squad in E20.
| Player | West Ham goals (Premier League) |
| Michail Antonio | 68 |
| Jarrod Bowen | 50 |
| Paulo Di Canio | 47 |
| Mark Noble | 47 |
| Carlton Cole | 41 |
Having the Jamaican as a squad option and in the dressing room can only be a good thing for the growth of younger players like Evan Ferguson.
Fans at the London Stadium will now await the return of the former Sheffield Wednesday man to see what sort of impact he can have.