West Ham United transfer news as Michail Antonio ‘pushing’ for Saudi Arabia move amid ‘serious’ interest
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is “pushing” for a move to Saudi Arabia this summer, according to Calciomercato.
The publication reported on its website on Tuesday (18 July) that Saudi club Al-Ettifaq is “serious” about the Jamaican forward.
The 33-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the London Stadium, but Calciomercato noted that the Hammers do not want to let the player leave.
“Al-Ettifaq is serious about Michail Antonio,” according to Calciomercato.
“West Ham wouldn’t want him to leave but the player, in the last year of his contract, is pushing to go to Saudi Arabia.”
Interesting option
It’s understandable that West Ham want to keep hold of Antonio, with the player the club’s number one striker at this moment in time.
The forward is competing with the likes of Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings for that role, but is seemingly in the driving seat given how the duo have somewhat struggled in their brief time at the club so far.
There is, however, the other side of the coin whereby the Hammers could receive a substantial fee for a player who is ageing, and more importantly who is now in the final year of his contract.
The East London club therefore risk losing the Jamaican international on a free transfer next summer, a scenario that could be avoided if they sell him to Al-Ettifaq now.
Antonio would, of course, be jumping on the Saudi Arabia bandwagon, but his transfer would definitely be an intriguing one given how he would be playing under Premier League legend Steven Gerrard.
In other West Ham news, the winner has been named in the £25million Hammers and Wolves race to seal a first-team signing this summer.