According to FootballTransfers, Michail Antonio is “pushing hard” to leave West Ham this summer, despite interest from Leeds United.
The Whites are “keen” to sign the 33-year-old forward, according to the outlet’s website on Monday (7 August), with Celtic their primary opponent as the two teams are “chief among” different interested parties.
The Jamaica international has a year left on his contract at the London Stadium, so a “small fee” will be required to sign him before the window closes, however David Moyes is anticipated to “block” any escape until he has found a replacement.
Patrick Bamford’s latest injury absence has exacerbated the striker position dilemma, which also includes Mateo Joseph and club-record acquisition Georginio Rutter.
In the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City on Sunday (6 August), Daniel Farke was compelled to start Willy Gnonto as a centre forward.
Leeds United have always needed more support for the injured Bamford, and the start to the season has confirmed that.
An fixation with targeting supporting forwards rather than real number nines in recent windows has put strain on the English forward’s shoulders that his body hasn’t been able to sustain.
Even Antonio, a former right-back, has been leading the attack for West Ham for long enough to be considered a legitimate senior striker.
With 61 Premier League goals and 36 assists, he may give crucial cover as well as an experienced presence in the dressing room, and the fact that he shouldn’t be too pricey has to appeal to Daniel Farke, whose budget has been constrained by so many loan exits.
The threat of Champions League football with Celtic must be addressed, and Saudi Arabia has indicated interest, but Elland Road in the Championship is no backwater.
It appears that it will rely on West Ham signing their own targets, something they have so far failed to achieve despite selling Declan Rice to Arsenal for a guaranteed £100 million.
Gianluca Scamacca has also recently gone for Atalanta, reducing David Moyes’ striking options, so while a drive for Antonio makes sense from a Leeds standpoint, it might be undermined by happenings, or lack thereof, at West Ham.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in talks to sign a defender whose club will not allow him to leave.
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