West Ham are bracing themselves for offers with Crystal Palace keen on signing Michail Antonio, according to Football Insider.
The reliable football outlet claim that the Hammers would be reluctant to lose the 29-year-old attacker after offloading Samir Nasri, Andy Carroll and Lucas Perez already, but Palace are ready to rekindle their interest in him.
Football Insider report that Crystal Palace hold a long-term interest in Antonio and tried to sign the 29-year-old last summer, only to be unsuccessful.
It is believed that Palace have identified Antonio as a potential replacement for Wilfried Zaha if the winger ends up leaving Selhurst Park this summer.
Good move for West Ham?
No. The Hammers would be foolish to let Antonio go especially to a Premier League rival.
The 29-year-old got better with each passing week in his 2018/19 campaign and the Hammers must ensure he isn’t leaving anytime soon.
Antonio played 38 times across all competitions in his latest campaign; scoring seven while assisting seven in the process.
Also just like Football Insider’s report states, the Hammers have already let a number of attacking players go, so now isn’t the time to even contemplate parting with the winger.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10
Likely to happen?
No chance.
There’s no denying that Crystal Palace are likely keen on finding a suitable replacement for Zaha in case he exits and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Antonio is a name that has been discussed.
However Antonio, who earns £70,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), should be viewed as must-keep and likely is, given how he regularly featured by the time the season ended, so it’s hard to see him being on the move this summer.
This Is Futbol rating: 1/10