Michail Antonio now wanted by Middle Eastern clubs for potential January West Ham United exit
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is now wanted by clubs in the Middle East as well as the US and the Premier League, according to Ben Jacobs.
The Jamaica international has already spoken about there being talks over a Hammers exit [Footballers’ Football Podcast, 26 January], with the likes of Wolves and Chelsea linked within the top flight and increasing interest generating in MLS, but amid an injury crisis in attack his chances of leaving seem remote.
However, Jacobs has noted the 32-year-old as a “deal to watch before the deadline” and could yet be subject to bids ahead of Tuesday night (31 January) with teams in Qatar and the UAE now looking at him, although he expects the club to try to bat offers away.
Writing in his latest takeover of Fabrizio Romano’s Substack column for Caught Offside on Monday (30 January) the CBS journalist said: “There are a few forwards who could leave late on in the window. Michail Antonio at West Ham, for example, has said quite openly that there’s talks and that he can’t rule anything out.
“There is some interest from the MLS, and also from both the UAE and Qatar, and there might even be a couple of Premier League clubs who try their luck on that one, though I think West Ham will try to hold firm because of the injury to Danny Ings.”
Heating up
With Ings joining Gianluca Scamacca in the treatment room there are only really two ways this would make sense for the Irons to accept this month – if Antonio actively pushed to leave, or if a club made an offer West Ham couldn’t refuse.
The forward doesn’t seem the type to disrupt the squad to force a move and has already said he won’t be upset to stay at the London Stadium.
The latter possibility remains on the table, with all four destinations having money at their disposal, so you can never say never on deadline day.
Given the amount that the club has been prepared to spend this season they would no doubt like to recoup some if they can.
But Antonio is unlikely to command a massive fee given his age and resale potential so it would be a surprise if the amount of money put on the table by any side is enough to convince David Moyes and the hierarchy it was worth going short in attack.
Ings and Scamacca will be back eventually, but as with the injury issues in defence earlier this season, the manager needs options now, especially since every game could now potentially spell the end of his time in charge.