Michail Antonio can leave West Ham United amid Steven Gerrard talks, Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings could go too with Armando Broja wanted
David Moyes is facing the prospect of losing his entire West Ham striking unit this summer amid “preliminary” talks between Michail Antonio and Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq, The Times reports.
The Jamaica international has been the main forward at the London Stadium for the past few seasons, despite the big-money addition of Gianluca Scamacca last summer, but is 33 and was linked with an exit in January.
The Italian has himself been heavily linked with a move back to Serie A this summer after a difficult debut campaign in England that saw him struggle to supplant Antonio, and made his desire to play for Jose Mourinho at Roma public last week [Gazzetta dello Sport, 12 July].
According to the Times report on Monday night (17 July) Al-Ettifaq have not yet approached West Ham over Antonio, but the scorer of 75 Hammers goals “would be allowed to leave”.
Scamacca is “keen” on the Italy option and is the subject of a loan offer from the Stadio Olimpico which has been rejected, while Ings, who only arrived from Aston Villa in January, is the third striker Moyes “could also lose”.
The manager reportedly wants a “younger and more consistent forward” and Chelsea’s Armando Broja is again a target.
Revamp
It seems like it is going to be a new-look strike force one way or another next season, but there isn’t a huge amount of time to switch all three out and find replacements if it is going to be a complete overhaul.
Antonio has been the relatively-reliable constant in recent years as the Irons have spent heavily on the position without a great deal of return.
If all the current options are actively angling to leave then it might make sense to take the money if it is put on the table, but it would be drastic action to jettison the whole lot at once.
Antonio’s age would certainly mean it makes business sense to cash in if there is a Saudi bid, but with Scamacca and Ings there is a decent argument to keep them for now without an offer the club can’t refuse.
Broja was chased extensively a year ago but it is surely going to be tricky to convince Chelsea to sell without huge money, as striker is a problem position at Stamford Bridge too.
Cutting the chord on Ings or Scamacca already would be a disappointment, but it would equally be risky to solely rely on the pair who managed five Premier League goals between them last term.
So one headline arrival seems necessary this summer, with back-up signings potentially sourced if more than one departs.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have refused to comment on the response after a bid was tabled to sign a forward this summer.