Irons make Antonio position clear

Reports that Michail Antonio is wanted by Derby County are believable but unlikely to become reality.

West Ham are of course aware they were involved in a race for the  player with the Rams when snapping him up for £7 million on deadline day.

ClaretandHugh was told on the morning of the window’s final day that the board were waiting on the manager’s decision regarding the player.

Once Slav had given the thumbs-up, the negotiations followed quickly with the Hammers paying top price for the Nottingham Forest player, so there seems ‘s no question the player isn’t considered good enough for the Premier League as is being suggested by some..

With Victor Moses already on board for a season’s loan it has always been considered that Antonio is a longer term prospect.

Derby County are believed to be ready to offer no more than £5 million – if indeed they make a move at all –  and David Gold and David Sullivan are not guys to take a £2 million loss on any player so the thought of doing so on one who has had no chance to show what he’s got is craziness.

The very best Rams boss Paul Clement can hope for is a loan deal and this morning the Hammers updated the position saying: “It’s far too early to be talking about January anyway but we have consistently said he’s one for the future. We think that makes our position clear.”