Breaking news this afternoon – Hammer Michail Antonio is believed to have been offered a short-term contract extension this week as the season draws to an end.
A transfer source told Claret and Hugh this afternoon that the West Ham forward had been offered a contract extension on smaller wages in the hope that he gets fit and can find an alternative club.
A club source is not convinced he will sign an extension, telling this publication, “he has a number of alternatives”
The 35-year-old joined the Hammers from Nottingham Forest a decade ago for £7m and has made 323 appearances for West Ham across all competitions, scoring 83 goals and has 33 assists during his time with the club.
His name was not included when it was announced that Aaron Cresswell, Fabianski, Danny Ings and Vlad Coufal would leave the club, with Graham Potter calling the Antonio situation ‘complex’.
Antonio has made it clear in interviews he focused on getting fit as soon as possible and playing professionally again.
So scoring record is 1 in 4, hardly anything to offer him a new contract over. If he has good offers elsewhere then suggest he takes them and we part ways amicably.
We’ve released three players who would have made much more sense to offer renewed contracts to. There’s absolutely no way Antonio will ever play top class football again, his age is against him never mind the other baggage.
Sorry, I’ve got a lot of love for Antonio and his accident was awful and everything but it’s not the first time he’s been involved with something like that.
Nobody seems to mention it, but remember what happened on Christmas day, 2019 days before Pellegrini got sacked? If you know, you know, if not then Antonio (while dressed head to toe in a snowman outfit, no less) smashed his Lamborghini through someone’s garden wall, taking down trees and damn near hitting their home.
When I was told he’d crashed my first reaction was “Again?!”
Obviously delighted he’s fine but, harsh as it is, he should be finding his feet someplace else. Cover his rehab costs and allow him to use the facilities for fitness (and hopefully finding another club) but it wasn’t a one-off and he should be let go.
Pathetic! Say they are binning off old men and then offer a 35 year old over the hill another contract, FFS. Sullivan, you have totally ruined a once brilliant club……..just F O and take asslick Brady with you! 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Ridiculous decision if true. As much as I recognise Antonio’s efforts to return to football, his days at Premiership level are over. His goalscoring record over the last 2 and a half seasons is nowhere near good enough and we should thank him for his service and recruit a much younger proven goalscorer.
What a waste of time and money was finished 2 years ago so will be even worse after the injury he suffered
No point anyway, Potter doesn’t like playing with a CF.
Ferguson, Fullkrug, Ings , rather play a player out of position and not take any shots..
Good luck to Antonio, but a goal every 10 doesn’t cut it at this level.
Wish him well, help him recover then move on with everyone wishing him well….
We all knew Antonio would wrongfully get a new contract as Sullivan is absolutely clueless 🤦♂️
We are a banter club!
Anyone renewing their season ticket has totally been mugged off!
He’s been great, a West Ham legend. Before his accident his light shone less bright and it was time to go.
The situation now is he is far too old and probably damaged beyond being able to make a comeback. West Ham’s leadership as a board is woeful and Potter is possibly weaker.
Graham potter has been found out the board need to get rid of him he’s clueless the worst season I’ve seen westham play in the years..I think Sullivan should step down and family and sell the club to the billionaire that’s wants his share..I’d bring Harry back or Frankie lampard definitely he knows what he’s looking for we cannot have another season like that again it was awful we pay good money to watch potters tactics you need to resign Graham times up you should of stayed at Brighton no disrespect..
West Ham need two strikers not one but will any decent striker come to the club after seeing what has happened previously
There you go folks if you have been a mug enough to renew your season ticket welcome to the joyride to relegation and the final nail in a once great clubs coffin…expect Vardy and Wilson through the door plus any other over the hill injury prone player who needs one last hurrah before walking into the sunset.
Great news if he can But at 35 He might just find it a lot harder than he thinks considering what he has been through
Let’s say thanks for his services and wish him well for the future.
But, he was no longer a Premier League player before his injury, so time for both parties to move on. At 35, hopefully a lower league team will give him a couple of years contract if he proves his fitness.
As a striker he’s got no chance of getting a game under Potter anyway.
As much as I love Antonio surely enough is enough let’s say goodbye and start investing in youth otherwise nothing has been learnt this season