‘I’m staying’: £7m West Ham player says he once refused to leave the club despite them trying to offload him
Michail Antonio has shared that he rejected West Ham United’s idea for him to leave on loan to the Championship in the past.
Antonio was speaking on The Footballer’s Football Podcast and mentioned that he believed he would get his opportunity if he stayed.
The striker shared that his opportunity did then come, albeit at right-back.
Antonio said: “It got to a stage where I wasn’t playing and I was getting upset that I wasn’t playing, and then I had the opportunity to go back on loan to the Championship.
“But I was 25, I had played in the Championship from 18, I was like there is no need for me to go back.
“So I said I’m staying, I want my opportunity here, and then within a month I started every game.
“It wasn’t in my position, it was right-back, but I was starting every game until the season ended and from there I have played basically every game when I’ve been fit since.”
Michail Antonio has shared that he rejected West Ham United’s idea for him to leave on loan to th
e Championship in the past.
Antonio was speaking on The Footballer’s Football Podcast and mentioned that he believed he would get his opportunity if he stayed.
Antonio has been linked with a host of clubs including English sides Leeds United and Everton.
And although his future does seem somewhat undecided, Antonio had previously said a move to neither was close.
Antonio said he previously refused to leave West Ham on loan and wanted to fight for his chance
Of course, now 33-years-old Antonio is at a completely different stage of his career than that referenced.
If he does stay at West Ham you would expect he’d still be the first choice striker under David Moyes, though.
£7m Antonio spearheaded West Ham to their UEFA Europa Conference League win last season and fans would surely be disappointed to see him leave.
Declan Rice has departed, Lucas Paqueta is subject of bids from Manchester City – fans won’t want to lose another key player.
Antonio did of course start up top in West Ham’s first Premier League game of the season against Bournemouth.
And despite being subbed for Danny Ings late on, fans might hope that his start is a good indicator that he’s staying put.
And Chelsea are on the hunt for a new forward too after the injury which has sidelined new arrival Christopher Nkunku.
That has seen both the Hammers and Chelsea vying for the same transfer target in the shape of Elye Wahi.
90Min recently claimed West Ham technical director Tim Steidten is pushing to try and sign supremely talented Wahi.
When those reports emerged about the Hammers’ interest in signing the exciting Montpellier forward last week, they were flatly denied by a club insider.
So when Chelsea then emerged as the favourites to sign 20-year-old France youth star Wahi, the denials of West Ham insiders appeared accurate.
But there has been a huge development overnight.
Because star Wahi visited the Chelsea training ground after their bid but now wants to join West Ham claim new reports in France.
Last night RMC Sport claimed West Ham had tabled a £30m bid for Wahi.
Wahey for West Ham over Wahi
That came after the player voiced doubts over the amount of game time he would get at Stamford Bridge after visiting Chelsea’s Cobham training groynd.
And now, in a sensational new twist, Foot Mercato is reporting that Wahi has chosen to move to West Ham over London rivals Chelsea.
“Elye Wahi (20) has chosen to move to West Ham United over Premier League rivals Chelsea,” the report states.
“It now seems that Wahi has chosen his next destination. West Ham are ready to table a €35m (£30m) bid. And Wahi wants the move.
“His current club, Montpellier, have been informed of his desire to join the Hammers. No official bid has been submitted, but talks are ongoing.”
