West Ham United won’t entertain offers for Michail Antonio amid interest from Chelsea.
According to Sky Sports, West Ham United are refusing to sell winger Michail Antonio to Chelsea – and could even offer him a new contract before the end of the season.
Antonio, 26, joined the Hammers from Nottingham Forest on deadline day in September 2015, having hit 19 goals in just 54 games for the Championship side.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring
The powerful winger proved that he could make the step up to the Premier League, hitting nine goals in just 32 games last season, and he’s kept up that form this term with eight goals in 26 appearances.
Antonio, who earned a call-up to the England squad earlier this year, has impressed with his pace, power, work rate and goalscoring ability.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring against Liverpool
Now, reports from the Express claim that London rivals Chelsea are interested in signing Antonio, with the former non-league seen as a potential option at right wing back in Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 system.
Antonio’s former West Ham team-mate Victor Moses is currently playing in that role under Conte, and having played at right wing back under Slaven Bilic at West Ham, he appears to have caught Chelsea’s attention.
However, Sky Sports report that West Ham have no intention of letting Antonio leave the club for Chelsea, but are yet to receive a concrete approach from the Blues about a deal for him anyway.
In fact, it’s claimed that West Ham could offer Antonio fresh contract terms before the end of the season if he keeps up his form, as the Hammers look to keep him happy at the London Stadium despite handing him a new deal over the summer.
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