West Ham United transfer news as Michail Antonio may push for exit
Michail Antonio joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest back in 2015 but may now be seeking a challenge elsewhere after eight years at the club, according to a report in The Guardian.
The report states that the West Ham striker may leave the club this summer and might even “push” for the move away from the London Stadium.
Since joining West Ham, Antonio has made 275 appearances for the club, scoring 75 goals and providing 43 assists. On three separate occasions, the Jamaican international has hit double figures in the Premier League.
However, the striker only managed to net five times for the Hammers in the league this season, and after recently turning 33, the player may now be keen on a challenge at a new club.
The player recently sparked controversy with comments he made about Gianluca Scamacca during an appearance on the Filthy Fellas Podcast.
“He’s a quality player. The problem is, he can’t play the way the gaffer plays. He needs a different type of manager to play his type of football,” Antonio said.
“You can see it, when the ball comes into him it sticks and he’s tidy. But the way David Moyes plays, if you’re up front you’re dealing with scraps and you’ve got to be more of a fighter.”
A perfect ending?
If Antonio does leave the club this summer, a European trophy would be the perfect way for the former Nottingham Forest man to say goodbye to the Hammers faithful.
He has the chance to make that potential goodbye when his side meets Fiorentina in Prague next Wednesday in the UEFA Conference League final. Antonio has been an instrumental part of the East-London side making it to the final, scoring six goals in his eight appearances in the competition.
However, with the striker only getting older, he may soon become surplus to requirements at the Premier League club and may seek a younger forward to lead the line next season.
A goal in the final would be the fairytale ending for Antonio if he is to leave this summer and many Hammers fans will be dreaming of that goal on their way to Prague next week.
Whatever happens, Antonio will always be remembered fondly amongst the club’s supporters.
In other West Ham news, there could be another potential goodbye after Prague next week.