Michail Antonio must accept West Ham United career is over amid Steven Bergwijn speculation
Michail Antonio will go down as one of the finest servants in the history of West Ham, but the forward must surely now accept his time at London Stadium is coming to an end.
The Jamaica international, who has been a regular under David Moyes once again this campaign, is currently sidelined with a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until towards the end of the year.
While Antonio was resting up on Friday (24 November), he may well have seen reports linking the Hammers with versatile Ajax attacker Steven Bergwijn.
According to De Telegraaf reporter Mike Verweij, West Ham are planning a January move for the Dutchman, with Eredivisie heavyweights Ajax supposedly willing to listen to offers.
Bergwijn is predominantly a left-sided attacker, where Moyes already has options, but he can also play through the middle if required, as he did during his time with Tottenham.
This is mere speculation at this stage, of course, but the rumours do make sense on the face of it. Bergwijn could be the missing piece in Moyes’ attack, with the 26-year-old capable of leading the line.
Alternatively, he could be used out on the left of a four-man attack, which would free up Lucas Paqueta to move into a more central position just off either Mohammed Kudus or Jarrod Bowen, depending on how Moyes sets up the side.
Either way, it will provide yet another option in the final third of the pitch, and will surely mean far fewer minutes for the odd man out in Antonio.
This is not to say the long-serving ace cannot still play a back-up role, but with his 34th birthday on the horizon, it is looking increasingly likely that United will shift away from using what was only supposed to be a stop-gap option.
Ideally speaking, West Ham will bring in a 15-goal-a-season striker in January, but finding one of those at an affordable price is easier said than done.
Signing Bergwijn and tweaking the attack to move on from the ineffective Antonio is a start, though, and may well prove to be the final addition needed in this star-studded front line.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have reportedly been joined by Tottenham in the race to sign a talented youngster.