End could be nigh for Michail Antonio at West Ham United as transfer speculation emerges
West Ham had scouts at Red Bull Salzburg’s win over Rapid Wien on Sunday to watch long-term target Noah Okafor which could finally spell the end of Michail Antonio’s time at the London Stadium this summer.
According to reports in Italy [Tutto Mercato Web, 15 November], the Hammers were after the talented Swiss forward following strong performances both in the Champions League and at the World Cup in Qatar, with Chelsea and Arsenal also interested in the €35million-rated [£31million] ace.
Okafor has enjoyed a fruitful campaign at the Austrian giants. In fact, he’s rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting talents over the past few campaigns, registering 22 goals and 13 assists in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Also, 90min reported that the Hammers also ran the rule over fellow Salzburg forward Junior Adamu who has also emerged as one of Europe’s most exciting talents., with the East Londoners previously interested in the 21-year-old back last summer [Sky Sports Austria, 6 June] who was available at the time for €10million [£8.9million].
West Ham are expected to undergo a huge rebuild this summer, especially in attack with the likes of Gianluca Scamacca and club favourite Michail Antonio – both enduring difficult campaigns respectively – reportedly set to be on the move at the end of the season.
With Scamacca only joining last summer, he should be handed another season to impress despite being ditched last month by the well-renowned World Soccer Agency, after a reported lack of trust between the two parties.
However, the future of Antonio away from East London seems clearer with each passing week. He was subject to interest from Everton and Wolves during the January transfer window after the arrivals of Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings in the last two transfer windows, but a deal never materialised with the Hammers battling against relegation.
But with the Jamaica international having just 12 months remaining on his contract once the season ends plus the option of another year (West Ham website) and being 33-years-old at that point, many are expecting the striker to move.
If that is to be the case, the Hammers will almost certainly be on the lookout for hungrier, fresher and potent forwards to build around next season and the scouting of Okafor makes perfect sense, considering his age, profile, current ability but most of all, his glimmering potential to perform at the top level.
22 goals and 13 assists over the last campaigns show Okafor is ready for a top-level move, and the Swiss international holds a similar vibrant profile to Antonio which could well make him the ideal replacement for the Jamaican fan favourite.