Julen Lopetegui makes transfer call over Michail Antonio ahead of West Ham United appointment
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio is expected to be included in Julen Lopetegui’s plan at the London Stadium, according to the Evening Standard.
The outlet reported on its website (21 May) that the Jamaican international is expected to have a future under the former Real Madrid boss, despite the fact the Irons are keen to address their striker problem this summer.
Lopetegui attempted to sign the 34-year-old during his time as Wolves manager and therefore he is expected to utilise him next season, even if he does move to recruit a new number nine in the transfer window.
This update comes only days after Antonio admitted he wasn’t sure whether or not he had a future at the London Stadium beyond the end of the season.
Will West Ham United and Julen Lopetegui sell Michail Antonio in the summer transfer window?
Every transfer window, Antonio’s future with the Hammers become the subject of speculation with various reports linking him with moves away from the London Stadium and that will be no different this year.
The Jamaican international has already been linked with a move to the MLS and the Saudi Pro League with some suggesting that Lopetegui has already decided that he needs to replace the veteran in his first window.
That doesn’t appear to be the case however and it seems more likely that the Hammers will keep Antonio around as a striker option, even if he is increasingly unlikely to play week in and week out under the new manager.
Lopetegui has already held discussions with the Irons to prepare for the summer transfer window and the Spaniard will likely have a number of potential targets on his radar to bolster his frontline.
That doesn’t mean that he will immediately be desperate to throw the existing options out of the door before he even arrives.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are keen on securing a deal for Sheffield United keeper Wes Foderingham this summer
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