West Ham face a tough decision on Michail Antonio's future.
(Credit: Imago)
West Ham Zone Speaking to Ian Darke
Mon 2 June 2025 10:40, UK
Michail Antonio faces an uncertain future at West Ham.
The 35-year-old’s contract is expiring this summer, and there has been no progress on a new deal, despite Antonio’s admission that he wants to stay.
The situation has been complicated by the injuries that the Jamaica international sustained in a car crash in December, which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
The Irons ace has returned to light training after having surgery on a broken leg but whether he will be the same player when he returns remains to be seen.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan
David Sullivan and Co will have to decide on Antonio’s future. (Credit: Imago)
West Ham in a complicated spot over Antonio’s contract
The London Stadium outfit have offered the veteran a short-term deal for the summer while he gets back to fitness but once that ends, he could move on.
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Iconic commentator Ian Darke believes that it will be a tough decision for the Hammers and they may well decide to let the Jamaican forward seek a transfer away from East London.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, he said: “I think they love him because he has been part of their scene for a long time now and part of their team that won the European trophy.
“You would like to think there is a little bit of sentiment and that the club feel like they need to look after him but in the end, it will come down to a pretty hard, ruthless sporting decision, ‘is he still going to be a player that we can use in the Premier League?’
“If the answer to that is ‘yeah, we think there is another season or two left in him’ then he will stay, if they are looking at him and thinking he is 35, you know, they may look and it and he may look at it, and think maybe I am going to get a better swansong somewhere else.
“He had the car crash, we don’t know, how much of an effect that has left, whether he can be as good as new after that, we don’t know.”
Michail Antonio is West Ham's record Premier League goalscorer
Antonio is West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer
Antonio must stay at West Ham
Graham Potter‘s side are in need of a huge overhaul and getting Antonio’s reported £90,000-a-week wages off the books would be a clever move.
However, it would leave a sour taste in the mouth for many supporters, given the contributions that he has provided in his nine-year stint with the club.
The former Nottingham Forest attacker is the Irons’ leading goalscorer in the Premier League era with 68 strikes in the division and some feel that he should be given a new deal after what he has been through.
Regardless of what level of player he is when he returns, he deserves an extra year, he deserves a proper send-off, one that is on the pitch in front of the fans.
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