West Ham can sign former Premier League star Michail Antonio once said was ‘worth £100m’
West Ham signed eight players in a busy summer window, but could already be looking for reinforcements in January.
Endrick is keen to leave Real Madrid with West Ham among the interested clubs, as Nuno looks to add competition to his attack.
Niclas Fullkrug is set for an extended period on the injury table after the striker suffered a muscle tear while on international duty with Germany.
And with Callum Marshall and Callum Wilson representing Nuno’s only other senior options, the former Tottenham boss is set to dip into the market.
Michail Antonio left West Ham in the summer, and the Hammers legend was a big fan of the latest option decision-makers at the London Stadium are considering to replace Fullkrug.
Michail Antonio hailed Ivan Toney in 2024
West Ham are interested in a loan move for Ivan Toney, with the former Brentford striker keen to return to the Premier League in an attempt to catch Thomas Tuchel‘s eye before the World Cup next year.
The striker left England for the Saudi Pro League last summer and has enjoyed his football at Al-Ahli, scoring an incredible 39 goals in just 55 appearances.
| Ivan Toney | Saudi Pro League 2025-26 |
| Appearances | 5 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Shots | 13 |
| Chances created | 3 |
| Duels won | 13 |
But the likes of Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke have moved ahead of the 29-year-old in Tuchel’s eyes since the move, despite the languid start both strikers have had to the season.
Should Toney return to the Premier League, though, he would surely have a great chance of making the squad if he can replicate the form he showed at Brentford.
Such was the former Newcastle United man’s form, Antonio once suggested the forward could be worth up to £100million.
Speaking in January 2024 to the Footballer’s Football podcast, he said: “I believe to Arsenal he is worth £100m. I believe if he were at Arsenal when they played us, they probably would have won that game.
“He’s the type of guy who is always there, always in the right place and constantly puts it in the back of the net.“
- Read more: Michail Antonio’s best West Ham moments as he closes in on sensational Premier League return
Nuno Espirito Santo had a previous scrape with Toney
In 2023, Toney was suspended from all football-related activity for eight months when he breached the FA‘s betting rules.
On his return, he would face off against Nuno’s Nottingham Forest, who were battling relegation at the time. After Nuno’s side had taken the lead, Toney took the ball to line up a free-kick just outside the box.
Despite the wall and the ball spray having already been set, the striker moved the ball slightly and curled around the wall, and in for the equaliser in a game that Brentford would go on to win.
Nuno was furious after the game and said: “The law is clear – every situation that leads to a goal must be checked. It’s not even a matter of inches; it’s almost a yard.”
The West Ham boss would surely be willing to put that incident behind him if Toney does choose to play under him, however.
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