Michail Antonio influence crucial as West Ham United want Richard King transfer
West Ham can move ahead in the race to sign Richard King thanks to Michail Antonio joining the Jamaica defender on international duty.
Voice Online reported on 10 October that the Irons are one of “a handful” of Premier League clubs interested in the Cavalier SC centre-back, who already has 20 caps for his country at the age of 22.
The Hammers face competition from Aston Villa, Brighton and Newcastle United in the race to sign King [HITC, 24 September], but will have an advantage over their rivals during the current international break.
Veteran striker Antonio is the only player from any of the aforementioned four clubs who is present in Jamaica’s squad to face Nicaragua and Honduras and could sway King towards the London Stadium.
Richard King can continue defensive revolution at West Ham
Regardless of whether Antonio’s influence on international duty does prove the difference in the Irons signing King shortly, Julen Lopetegui still appears keen to seal a transfer for the defender.
King would be the third new centre-back signed by Lopetegui during his tenure, albeit is far less high-profile than the arrivals of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo over the summer transfer window.
Kilman’s signing early in the window was a statement of intent from the Hammers’ board, and Todibo’s loan move from OGC Nice proved to be the same as the Irons fought off competition from Juventus.
Defenders such as Konstantinos Mavropanos, who himself only arrived at the club in 2023, have already come in for heavy criticism so far this season, suggesting that further reform at the back is needed.
Bringing in 22-year-old King would bring down the age profile of a team still reliant on its veterans, but if Antonio can help to steer the Jamaica defender to West Ham, Lopetegui will certainly be grateful.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are exploring the possibility of a swap deal concerning one of their most important midfielders.
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