Michail Antonio has not travelled to the southern German training camp as West Ham prepare for their first pre-season game against Grasshopper Club Zurich.
Antonio, who recently endured the heartbreaking loss of his mother, is currently without a club after rejecting West Ham’s short-term contract offer earlier this summer.
The Jamaican international has been granted access to the Rush Green complex to continue his rehabilitation and recently returned to football, coming on as a second-half substitute against Guatemala in a Gold Cup match.
Pre-season would have given Graham Potter the chance to assess the striker, but Antonio’s demands for higher wages and a longer contract prevented this from happening.
ExWHUEmployee has reported that there is a chance—depending on whether he can prove his fitness and how the [transfer](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-transfer-news/) window develops—that an alternative deal could be offered. However, for now, there is a stand-off between player and club.
His agent, Michael Appiason, is currently weighing up his client’s options.
After a decade of service, 323 appearances, 83 goals and 35 assists, Antonio has cemented his name in West Ham history. But now, at 35, a parting of the ways may be the best move for all involved.
Whether this is truly the end or just a pause before an unexpected encore, one thing is certain—he will always hold a place in Hammers fans’ hearts.
[C&H](https://www.claretandhugh.info/category/news/) wishes him nothing but the best for whatever comes next.