West Ham United have now told Wolverhampton Wanderers of their decision on Michail Antonio leaving in January. The striker is a transfer target of Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
That is according to The Sun, which reports the Molineux natives are targeting a triple raid in the mid-season market. Lopetegui wants the West Midlands outfit to improve his squad with Antonio, Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mario Lemina of OGC Nice.
Wolves are stepping up talks for Lemina, who previously played in the Premier League with Southampton and Fulham. They have already submitted bids worth £4.5m and £5m for the Gabon midfielder. But Nice nocked back Lopetegui’s offers as they want in excess of £10m.
Lopetegui has identified West Ham star Antonio, plus Wan-Bissaka and Lemina, as transfer targets for Wolves. The Spaniard wants the Molineux squad to sign proven Premier League players to pull the club clear of the relegation zone with them currently only in 19th place.
Wolves are also ready to pay £25m to sign Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United. But Red Devils coach Erik ten Hag is not currently in any rush to offload the right-back his club paid Crystal Palace £50m for in 2019. West Ham are also keen to block any transfer for Antonio.
West Ham deal Wolves a transfer blow over Lopetegui’s interest in Antonio
West Ham have now issued Wolves with a hands-off warning following an approach by the Molineux club over Antonio’s transfer. The Irons made it clear to Lopetegui’s side that they have no intention of selling the striker to a relegation rival with the clubs just a point apart.
David Moyes’ east London outfit sit in 17th place with Everton between the Hammers and Wolves, who clash on Saturday. Only the Molineux team (11), Nottingham Forest (13) and Everton (14) have also scored fewer Premier League goals than the Irons (15) this season.
Antonio has provided two of West Ham’s goals this term with only Gianluca Scamacca and Said Benrahma netting more (3). Yet Moyes has only started the 32-year-old in seven of his 17 top-flight matches. The £85k-a-week Jamaica star has also only played for 741 minutes.
So, Wolves saw a chance to sign Antonio from West Ham but their hopes of a transfer now appear over. Moyes’ decision on the striker’s future will be a blow for Lopetegui, who Alex Crook reports is a fan of Antonio. Also, talkSPORT reports he told Wolves to secure a deal.
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