West Ham United block Wolves approach for Michail Antonio
West Ham United are not willing to let Michail Antonio engage in talks with Wolves at this moment in time, according to the Shropshire Star.
The Jamaican international has become second-choice at the London Stadium this season since Gianluca Scamacca arrived in the summer and Julen Lopetegui wants to offer him a route out of the capital.
The 32-year-old still has 18 months left on his current contract with the Irons as well as an additional year should the club want to keep him but Wolves aren’t willing to wait until then.
They want him now but West Ham have blocked any approach coming in right now as the striker area is their own problem area right now and they are not keen on strengthening a relegation rival.
That makes a move for him, or Craig Dawson, difficult to complete in January as West Ham will not sell until a replacement has been sourced.
Selfish
As much as West Ham want to do right by their players, especially those who have given the kind of service Antonio and Dawson have done, they have to put their interest above any individuals.
The current situation does not allow the Irons to sell Antonio and Dawson, who are both very good Premier League performers, even at 32 years of age, to a team in a similar predicament to them.
David Moyes is already slim on options both up front and in the centre of defence so the last thing he can afford is for one to be taken away and gifted to Molineux on a silver platter.
With very limited time to bring in somebody just as good or even better, there is no reason for West Ham to sell either of them right now.
Wolves can come in for them again in the summer once the destiny of both sides has been decided but the very last thing West Ham need to be doing right now is weakening their own side.