West Ham United stance on Michail Antonio exit shared as Wolves weigh up transfer
Wolves are weighing up a move to bring West Ham United striker Michail Antonio to Molineux ahead of the transfer deadline, according to GiveMeSport.
The outlet reported on its website on Monday (12 August) that Gary O’Neil is keen to see if the Jamaican international is available this summer after the Irons bolstered their striking ranks with Niclas Fullkrug.
Julen Lopetegui’s Hammers could be tempted to sanction the 34-year-old’s exit before the transfer window slams shut as it isn’t clear where he fits into the new manager’s plans in East London.
West Ham’s Premier League rivals are keen to add an experienced forward to their ranks having signed Jorgen Strand Larsen from Celta Vigo and they are joined by several other clubs in scoping out Antonio’s situation.
Will Michail Antonio exit West Ham United amid Wolves transfer rumours?
The signing of Fullkrug from Borussia Dortmund has changed the striking dynamic at the London Stadium ahead of the new Premier League season.
Most expect the German international to be Julen Lopetegui’s first choice number nine with the likes of Antonio and Danny Ings waiting in the wings to offer support and a rotation option if and when required.
Whether or not Antonio will be happy to play in that reduced role, or if the Irons will be willing to pay him to feature in that role remains to be seen, but this sort of conversation has happened for several transfer windows already.
Antonio has even admitted that during every window he is linked with a move away from East London, only to still be the Irons’ first choice number nine only a matter of weeks later.
The same could well be true again this season, especially if Fullkrug doesn’t manage to hit the ground running in a claret and blue shirt at the London Stadium.
Ultimately, it will be down to Lopetegui to decide whether or not the 34-year-old still has a part to play in his West Ham team.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have been tipped to end up in a “relegation” battle this summer after new transfer developments
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