Everton target Michail Antonio to replace Demarai Gray as West Ham United transfer news drops

Everton will turn to West Ham striker Michail Antonio should they lose Demarai Gray with the winger looking set for a move to Fulham, according to The Guardian.

The newspaper reported on its website [2 August] that Antonio would replace his Jamaica teammate Gray in Sean Dyche's attack should the moves happen.

Antonio recently had a move to Saudi Arabian side El-Ettifaq fall through following their decision to move for former Lyon and Celtic forward Moussa Dembele, potentially opening the door for Everton to step up their reported interest.

Too many outgoings

If Antonio was to make the move to Goodison Park this summer, West Ham would be left very short of attacking players, with Gianluca Scamacca also set to leave the club in a move back to Italy [GOAL, 2 August], with Roma, Inter Milan, and Atalanta interested.

West Ham would need to be busy in the transfer market in their desire to strengthen upfront, with interest reported in Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun [Ben Jacobs, 1 August], AC Milan's Divock Origi [Claret & Hugh, 29 July] and Sevilla forward Youffef En Nesyri [Estadio Deprotivo, 23 July].

Antonio remains David Moyes' first-choice striker, as he provides the physicality and chaos the Scotsman likes from his strikers, as well as good hold-up play to bring his teammates into the game.

These factors also make him the ideal target for a Dyche team, if he was to play up front with one of the Toffees' other attacking options, with the club looking to strengthen with multiple new names.

In other West Ham news, the deal for a new midfielder could still be done as Moyes and the player want the move.