Now I see this as positive news – and F (..ullkrug) knows we at West Ham United are in desperate need of an uplift. Away to Newcastle United in a must win game on Monday, Mohammed Kudus suspended, two Hammers’ doubtful according to head coach Julen Lopetegui.
I for one was searching desperately for something positive to bring you on a Saturday morning.
The rumours and stories have grown last week over Hammers’ oldest striker Michail Antonio being linked with a move away: (caught offside.com:) “West Ham striker Michail Antonio is being linked with a move away to Turkish side Galatasaray.”
How is this good news ,I hear you ask?
Because it can only mean one thing. There is a new striker on the way ‘in’ to the club if Antonio departs in January.
The Hammers are so thin on the ground up-front if Antonio departs, that only Danny Ings would remain as a fit functioning striker ( I use those words loosely). An Impossible situation. The club would not sanction Antonio’s departure without having a signed contract from his replacement.
So, how exciting is that ? Even West Ham can’t cock it up again that badly.
Now of course we’ll all wave Mikey goodbye after ten years with a tear in our eye and best wishes: But he should have gone at least two years ago so, onward and upward.
Cynically I’ll suspend my leaping around the room until we have an idea of how old and how fit the unknown new recruit will be. With the clock running down on both Antonio’s and Ings contracts they’ll both be gone in six months anyway so it makes sense to sell Antonio in January for a nominal fee and free up his 100k a week for a new youngster.
Having a front man who can actually play for ninety minutes and keep up with both Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen – wow, I’ll get excited about that! And that’s before he’s found the back of the net. COYI!
Brilliant memories of Antonio and all he has done for the club.No longer at his best, but some fans over critical given all his efforts and the fact we have precious little else.
Also just a thought Martin, but him being offered is not necessarily good news. You don’t mention any details of the offer, and if the board had any sense it’s more than likely he has been offered to them so he can sign an agreement or pre contract for the summer. I don’t think it makes sense to get rid in January leaving us without any kind of cover or alternative until we do have some other options through the door. What do you think, do you have any more details in relation to the offer you mention?
He won’t go anywhere in January despite dubious sources linking him to Turkey.
Why would he leave when he can get a signing on bonus and why would a club pay a fee when available in a free transfer?
Antonio is worth keeping, he still manages to do a job for us even if a new striker is coming in. Are we really going to get that much for him for the last 6 months of his contract. I suggest getting a new striker in January and keeping him as an impact player from the bench and as backup. We all know how well our transfer history is regarding stickers….especially with this seasons situation being what it is. Maybe we should forgo a couple of million in a transfer fee just to keep him. It’s a hell of a lot less than we have lost on other strikers, even more so considering he is our only striker that’s realistically able to start at the moment!
problem is, without moving Antonio onward there is no room in the wages / income ratio for another player. Premier League rules cap wages at 85% of income this season so without moving somebody out, we were right on that limit in August- without an exit from someone, Hammers cannot take a new player onto the payroll
I think saying he should have gone TWO years ago is a bit harsh!
i think before all your great plans take place, we need to get rid of avram the 2nd first once he goes then a new manager can chop and change the playing staff then we have sullivan keeping antonio would be a cheaper option wich seems to be sullivans favourite sentance.
Hopefully JLo on Monday or the weekend after JLo will be gone and we can start our season and eradicate his nightmare reign from our minds 🙏
Antonio leaving will be a sad thing he gives everything when he plays he has scored so many times for the club he will be missed by every fan and I’m sure by the squad and the owners so let’s make sure that he gets a good farewell he will always be a legend at West Ham utd a living legend
Definitely!
Such a shame VAR ruined his goal celebrations. Antonio has given us some amazing memories, especially against Spurs!
Wish him every success when his time comes to an end at West Ham.
Alternatively it might be just another made up transfer story as Icardi picked up an ACL injury and is out for the season 🤷♂️
They do still have Oshimen, but if a club trigger his release clause in January this could have legs.