Pundit moots new West Ham United transfer as Michail Antonio exit news emerges
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes West Ham will sign a new striker this summer if Michail Antonio leaves the London Stadium.
According to The Mirror (2 August), the Jamaican international wants to quit the Hammers “to explore pastures new.”
The newspaper added that West Ham are in the hunt to sign Venezia striker Joel Pohjanpalo as a direct replacement for Antonio.
Football Transfers reported on Monday (7 August) that Leeds and Celtic are in the hunt to sign Antonio.
His potential exit comes amid the impending exit of fellow striker Gianluca Scamacca, who is currently signing a contract ahead of his move to Atalanta [Fabrizio Romano, 7 August].
Given the latest final-third developments at the East London club, former striker McAvennie believes his old club will be in the market for a new forward.
If Antonio leaves along with Scamacca, Hammers boss David Moyes will be left with just Danny Ings and Divin Mubama as his striker options.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I think they will sign a new striker if Antonio goes, because Scamacca is going as well.
“Ings will be the only senior one there, so they will need to change the way they are playing to get Ings going.
“But they will need to bring somebody else in, that’s for sure.”
In other West Ham news, a BBC journalist has name-dropped Premier League giants Chelsea in a Hammers summer transfer verdict.