Michail Antonio may be forced into West Ham United exit after Danny Ings transfer update
West Ham United and Julen Lopetegui have been busy in the early stages of the summer transfer window as preparations continue for the season ahead.
The former Real Madrid manager has addressed the issues out wide with the signing of Luis Guilherme, bolstered the keeping ranks with Wes Foderingham and solved the defensive issue with Max Kilman.
His next priority appears to be adding to his options at the top end of the field, with reports suggesting the Spaniard is eager to secure a new centre-forward before the Premier League gets back underway [Evening Standard, 9 July].
Jhon Duran appears to be the leading candidate, with reports suggesting personal terms have been agreed with the 20-year-old and a bid worth £35million has already been submitted to Aston Villa [Fabrizio Romano, 9 July].
The only real forward options currently available to Lopetegui are Michail Antonio and Danny Ings and an update surrounding the latter could come as bad news for the Jamaican international this summer.
While it has been suggested the Irons are willing to part ways with Ings, reports have suggested the 31-year-old has not yet been the subject of a formal offer during the transfer window [The Athletic, 12 July].
The former England international is eager to fight for his place under Lopetegui and would rather stay at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future than push for a move out of East London.
Will Michail Antonio exit West Ham United amid Jhon Duran transfer speculation?
Alternatively, Antonio has been the subject of offers already this summer from Brazilian side Gremio while also reportedly garnering interest from clubs in the MLS and the Saudi Pro League [The Athletic, 12 July].
If a new centre-forward is signed and Ings remains at the club over the course of the transfer window, the Jamaican international’s opportunities are going to be limited and that could push him into a summer move.
He has been an excellent servant to West Ham and has always given his all whenever he’s stepped foot on the pitch, but if he wants to continue to play regular football, he may have to exit.
As talks continue over a move for Duran, it feels as though Antonio could well be inadvertently forced out of East London in the process.
In other West Ham news, a Galatasaray update has emerged in the summer transfer race for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay
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