West Ham watchers really will feel that this summer signifies the end of an era at London Stadium. The high profile departures of Coufal, Cresswell, Fabianski, Ings and now, we hear, [Michail Antonio](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-talks-collapse-as-antonio-nears-hammers-exit/) – along with the loan repatriations of Evan Ferguson and Carlos Soler really does constitute a seismic shift at the club. Five trophy winners no less departing means that there will be an experience vacuum, however ‘past their best’ several of those aforementioned had become.
_Never to be forgotten memories – Michail Antonio_
Antonio departing can only mean that the Irons are 100% confident of landing a Premier League-quality replacement. With the injury-blighted Niclas Fullkrug – linked with leaving himself – as the club’s only top tier striker, Hammers fans will watch and wait to see when – _not if-_ a new striker is brought in. Previous seasons have been ‘make do and mend’ with Antonio and Ings but they’re gone for good in a couple of weeks.
So, no back up plan, no ‘just in case’ short term deal for Antonio to eke out a few cameos: The Hammers have nailed their colours to the mast and have made their intention clear to bring in a new number nine this summer.
Which in a way is a kind of relief from the possibility of another short-term fix kicking the can down the road for another season, getting through with Bowen, Fullkrug and a bit of Antonio.
The ‘Antonio era’ appears over. Not before time, (actually a couple of seasons overdue) he goes with huge affection and love from anyone who’s ever cheered on the Hammers from the stands.
But now the position is absolutely clear. Who, for how much, and from where – that’s for another day.
But the flagship number nine shirt will be up for grabs as the Irons head into new territory.