Michail Antonio agrees West Ham United exit before transfer collapses
Michail Antonio has seen a West Ham transfer exit to join Gremio collapse after medical tests, according to Diego Torbes.
The South American journalist who covers the Brazilian side claimed via Twitter on 8 February that the Hammers forward was due to leave the London Stadium after agreement a move.
But the knee problem, which is currently keeping him out of action for David Moyes [Premier Injuries], put Gremio off so they decided to pull out because he was set to be an expensive signing.
The Brazilian transfer window remains open until 7 March [Andy Newport 1 February], allowing the move to have remained open past the 1 February UK deadline.
Antonio exit from West Ham collapses on medical grounds
Antonio, 33, was linked with an exit in the summer window but his injury through January kept speculation to a minimum.
While he has been seemingly on the way out for some time it would incredibly risky for West Ham to let him go at this stage, when signing a replacement is impossible.
The failure to add any attacking reinforcements during the winter window despite letting Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma leave has left Moyes’ squad light going forward and the form since the start of 2024 has been poor.
There were attempts to sign wingers which fell through in frustrating circumstances, but despite links to strikers there was again no replacement brought in for the summer departure of Gianluca Scamacca, let alone for Antonio or fellow exit-linked forward Danny Ings.
The position seemed like a priority heading into the window but the most effort went towards landing Kalvin Philllips on loan from Manchester City.
Striker will therefore surely remain close to the top of the agenda once the seasons ends but for now the Irons can’t afford to lose any more of the forward options they currently have.
In other West Ham news, a London Stadium figure may now be allowed to bring his brother to the club as the board give him full backing.
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