West Ham United’s Michail Antonio is reportedly set to be offered a new contract.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic and West Ham United’s Michail Antonio
According to the Daily Mail, West Ham United are set to offer Michail Antonio a new contract, potentially worth £70,000-a-week amid interest from Chelsea.
The Hammers moved to snap up Antonio from Nottingham Forest on deadline day in September 2015, having hit 19 goals in 54 games for the Championship club.
After a slow start to life at Upton Park, Antonio became a fan favourite and a mainstay of the starting line-up under Slaven Bilic, notching eight goals in three assists in 26 Premier League appearances last season.
Antonio has navigated the tricky second season with ease, again grabbing eight goals and three assists, this time in 25 games whilst playing in a variety of positions for Bilic; from right wing back to his natural position out wide, and even up front as an emergency striker.
Last month, Antonio told Sky Sports that there was no movement on talks over a new contract at the London Stadium, with his non-committal comments something of a concern for fans who wanted him to stay in East London.
Now, the Daily Mail report that Antonio is set to be offered a new contract to stay with the Hammers, and the deal could potentially be worth double his current wages of £35,000-a-week.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring
West Ham are allegedly aware that London rivals Chelsea want to sign Antonio, and will now hope that the offer of £70,000-a-week will be enough to tempt the 26-year-old into penning a new deal.
Currently on the fringes of the England setup and one of West Ham’s most dependable players, the club will see a new deal for Antonio as a key step in the coming months, especially having lost Dimitri Payet in January.
Would you pay Antonio £70,000-a-week?
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