West Ham have no intention of selling Michail Antonio to Crystal Palace despite a story in The Sun!
We made a point of checking out yet another rumour from the ‘rag’ after their morning story claimed he was the “missing jigsaw puzzle piece” in Roy Hodgson’s squad for next season.
And we were immediately no interest had been expressed from the one club with whom the Hammers would have expected to have heard from given the relationship between David Gold and Palace chairman Steve Parrish.
The Sun had claimed Roy Hodgson was keen on the former Hammer of the Year and that Antonio himself could well want a move to a club they claimed as on the rise.
But the story was immediately knocked down with a top source explaining there was no intention of selling Antonio who has a contract until 2021.
And he added there had been no contact whatsoever between the two clubs nor would they be entertained.
Would be foolish to sell him on the back of a disappointing season.Hopefully will have a lot to prove next season as have most of the current squad.(the ones that remain that is).
Therein lies the problem.
The squad needing to prove itself, rather than doing what they are already paid a fortune to.
I expect Antonio has already had his head turned, based upon one relatively successful season.
Pretty much like the whole of our support when moving to the athletics stadium…………..
Personally i would like to see at least half of this team replaced with better quality players in the Summer,but very much doubt the board are going to stump up that kind of cash so expect a few of these to get redemption ie Antonio.
I’d sell him if the fee was good. Not good enough
Antonio would definitely be worth keeping for another season as long as they only start to play him when he’s 100% fit. We haven’t really missed him, even though he is very strong on the ball and gives us another outlet when fit.
I know everyone says we should replace half the team but look what happened when Bilic brought in 13 players. It’s unsettling and takes a lot of time for the whole team to gel. i think 5 or 6 quality players should do us. keeper, 2 CB’s (or 1 CB & 1 RWB). 2 Mids and a striker. Keep Mario and forget about Shaqiri.
Palace see him as a replacement for Zaha!
Personally would like to see him stay, get match fit, he scares opposition!