Michail Antonio fails to agree terms after three offers to leave West Ham United come in
Michail Antonio has failed to agree terms with three Saudi Arabian clubs who wanted to sign him from West Ham, according to The Athletic.
Roshane Thomas reported on the outlet’s website Sunday (27 August) that the Hammers had “entertained bids” for the 33-year-old striker this summer, but after his strong start to the season – two goals in three games – David Moyes and the recruitment team are tipped to change their mind on an exit.
Antonio is a “high-earner” at the London Stadium and his contract expires next summer, but despite the interest from Saudi Arabia he was reportedly “not willing to uproot his family to a different country for less than his market value”.
The Jamaican international was linked to a departure from West Ham in January, and has been reported as both “keen” to explore an exit by The Times (22 August) and “desperate” to leave by 90min (18 August) as the Irons chase new attacking arrivals.
Model professional
It has seemed like the Antonio era at West Ham has been approaching a close for at least a year but the forward just keeps producing to a higher level than any of the alternatives.
If he is as intent on moving on as is frequently suggested then it is to his great credit that he absolutely doesn’t down tools like some players might, and in many ways that has repeatedly made it impossible for Moyes to let him go.
Gianluca Scamacca cost £30.5million up-front a year ago [Sky Sports] and couldn’t dislodge Antonio, while Danny Ings arrived in January for another £15m [Sky Sports] and hasn’t either.
The big-money Italian is already back in Serie A and the Irons have started another season with the former Nottingham Forest man leading the line.
Mohammed Kudus’ arrival for a large fee is the latest challenge to that situation, and the likes of Youssef En-Nesyri have been targeted in addition in the final week.
If the Saudi interest hasn’t been enough to prize Antonio out of the London Stadium then it seems unlikely that much else will in the last few days before the deadline, and while he keeps finding the net that is certainly a good thing for the Hammers.
In other West Ham news, the Irons and a Premier League rival are now going head to head in talks with another new signing.