Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in the transfer of West Ham United star Michail Antonio in January. Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui has identified the striker as a likely target.
That is according to talkSPORT, which reports Lopetegui has told the Molineux outfit of his admiration of Antonio. Further, Alex Crook notes that the Spaniard is ‘a fan’ of the forward and that Wolves are ‘very interested’ in a transfer if West Ham say they are open to offers.
Lopetegui has instructed Wolves to sign a new striker in January to add fresh impetus to a tame attacking unit. No Premier League side has scored fewer goals so far this season than the West Midlands natives. Wolves have only hit the back of the net 11 times in 18 games.
Daniel Podence and Ruben Neves are also Wolves’ lead goalscorers so far this season with four each. Of those, Podence has prodded the ball home from two set pieces while Neves has two penalties. Adama Traore, Goncalo Guedes and Rayan Ait-Nouri have scored once.
So, Lopetegui has highlighted West Ham striker Antonio as a target Wolves should explore in the January transfer window. The 32-year-old has scored twice over his 17 appearances so far this season. But he has only started seven with Gianluca Scamacca their first choice.
Moyes may be reluctant to grant Antonio a transfer from West Ham to Wolves
West Ham boss David Moyes may be reluctant to let Wolves hand Lopetegui a transfer for Antonio in January. The Hammers have only scored 15 goals over their 18 Premier League games so far this season. They also only rank outside of the relegation on goal difference.
Scamacca has also only scored three goals as the Irons’ joint-top scorer this term with Said Benrahma. Their £30.5m summer signing from Serie A side Sassuolo has further only found the net once over his last eight appearances after netting at Leeds United last Wednesday.
Antonio cost West Ham £7m back in September 2015 when the Irons secured his transfer from Nottingham Forest. The 32-year-old has since extended his contract through to 2024. He agreed to a fresh £85k-a-week deal with the option of one further year in January 2022.
Antonio can solve Lopetegui’s search for attacking reinforcements in January
Yet should Wolves submit an enticing offer for Antonio, he could urge West Ham to grant a transfer to be the first-choice striker at a Premier League club again. His work in claret-and-blue, which has earned praise in the past, can solve Lopetegui’s search for reinforcements.
“The hardest positions to play in football are in goal and when playing up front on your own,” Gary Neville once told Sky Sports.
“Antonio is absolutely brilliant at it. He occupies defenders, is a nightmare to play against, he’s a goal threat and has really refined his game and become more polished.
“I remember when I was with England with Roy Hodgson, we were looking at him as a right-back with West Ham. I never thought he’d end up as this presence he is in the Premier League as a forward. He’s absolutely brilliant.”
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