West Ham United have reportedly told Michail Antonio that his services will not be required for long with Manuel Pellegrini now in charge of the club. Crystal Palace are looking to offer the 29-year-old an escape with other Premier League teams also understood to be keeping tabs.
The Hammers are amidst negotiations with Lazio for Felipe Anderson and are close to announcing the purchase of Toulouse FC defender, Issa Diop. Pellegrini has clearly taken on his position with a lot of optimism and is looking to add a few more key pieces to the current squad.
United were in the relegation ties last season and David Sullivan wants to steer the club towards a more ambitious path. The club released a huge statement of intent by signing a Premier League winning manager on a £10m-a-year contract. Now, they are prepared to hand the Chilean the necessary funds to bolster the club ranks.
That would also mean selling off a few of the current players to make room for players of higher pedigree. Antonio has served the Hammers for three seasons now and still has 3 more years left in his current deal.
The 29-year-old is a solid attacking option who can be fielded in almost any position on the offensive end. With blistering pace under his boots, Antonio entered the Premier League with his shooting boots in place.
However, the Englishman did not perform up to the mark this past season with just 3 goals registered in 22 total appearances. David Moyes came in to utilise him in various positions but could not get the best out of him.
Pellegrini could have relied on the 29-year-old as a backup option but the 2017/18 campaign is evident enough to move him for investable cash. The United boss has been asked to pay a hefty fee for Anderson and Antonio’s departure could help seal the transfer of the Brazilian.
Crystal Palace are also in the ideal position to offer Antonio a path out of the London Stadium. The Eagles have released Bakary Sako from the club and are in dire need of able replacements.
Roy Hodgson was successful in saving the club from relegation last term and is holding onto Wilfried Zaha. Christian Benteke’s horrific scoring form last season should be enough for the ex-England head coach to look for replacements.
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Antonio could serve as a backup to either Zaha or Andros Townsend on either side of the flanks and can turn out to be a smart buy for the Eagles in case they seal a deal for the Englishman.
