Steve McClaren has made an astonishing claim about Michail Antonio on the same day news emerged of a contract stand-off between the striker and West Ham.
Michail Antonio has achieved many great things since joining West Ham nearly 10 years ago.
Whether that has been going from right-back to number nine, scoring milestone goals or becoming West Ham’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer to name but a few.
Antonio even helped the Hammers win their first major trophy of the last 45 years and qualify for Europe three seasons in a row for the first time in club history.
Antonio is West Ham’s miracle man
But the most amazing thing to have happened to Antonio in his time with the Hammers is, by his own admission, somehow surviving that horror crash at Epping Forest back in December.
The fact Antonio is still with us let alone being in with a chance of getting a new West Ham contract is nothing short of miraculous.
As anyone who saw the crumpled mess that was his silver Ferrari will attest.
All the way back in March, Hammers News exclusively revealed that West Ham were considering handing Antonio a new one-year deal dependent on his recovery from breaking his leg in four places during that crash.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
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It is fair to say opinion is split among Hammers fans over Antonio’s future – with his current £90k per week contract up at the end of the season.
The striker has been a fantastic servant for West Ham.
But Graham Potter has made it clear he wants to rejuvenate the Premier League’s oldest squad around young talent this summer.
And Antonio turns 36 next season.
With the Premier League expected to be much more competitive next season, West Ham can’t afford to take any more backwards steps. So the squad has to be right and ready to compete.
McClaren’s stunning Antonio claim amid West Ham stand-off
For the first time in an interview last week, Antonio admitted he might be set to leave West Ham.
The Jamaica striker said the ball was in the club’s court over extending his contract.
Potter has made the ruthless decision to release long-serving trio Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Vladimir Coufal.
And he said a decision will be announced on Antonio when the time comes.
Now Steve McClaren has made a stunning Antonio claim amid a West Ham contract stand-off.
It was revealed this week that West Ham have indeed offered the striker a new short-term deal.
Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images
But it has been stated that the terms are a reduced salary while he works to regain full fitness and see if he can play at the top level again.
The message from West Ham to the striker appears to very much be that Antonio must prove himself worthy of a full new one-year contract.
Antonio and his team of representatives are not happy with the deal and Claret and Hugh claims they are holding out for a deal with a higher basic wage.
Now Antonio’s national team boss McClaren has delivered a quite staggering update.
Reggae Boyz head coach McClaren is preparing his side to play in the Unity Cup in London – starting next Tuesday after the Premier League season finale.
What McClaren has said about Antonio will shock West Ham
Jamaica will then prepare for World Cup qualifiers and the Concacaf Gold Cup and in the USA throughout June.
And according to Jamaica Observer, McClaren has briefed the press there that there is a possibility West Ham star Antonio could be involved in the Unity Cup against Trinidad and Tobago next week.
Antonio would also then be in contention for their five matches through June.
It is being reported as a ‘sensational return’ over in Jamaica.
It remains to be seen whether McClaren’s claim comes to fruition.
One would think West Ham’s medical team will have a big say in that.
But the timing is certainly favourable on Antonio’s part as he looks to prove to West Ham he can return to top level football.