Michail Antonio in free transfer talks after West Ham exit and targeting World Cup 2026 despite horror car crash
MICHAIL ANTONIO revealed he is in talks with various clubs after ending his 10-year stint with West Ham.
Antonio, 35, became a free agent having been released by the Hammers eight months after a horror car crash that saw him breaking his leg in four places.
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Michail Antonio revealed he is in talks with various clubs after leaving West Ham
Credit: REUTERS/Tony Obrien
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Antonio became a free agent eight months after a horror car crash
Credit: AP Photo/Dave Shopland
On December 7, the versatile forward was driving through Epping Forest during stormy weather when he lost control of his £260,000 Ferrari and crashed into a tree.
But the Jamaica international returned to action in June for his national team during the Gold Cup and has turned out for West Ham's Under-21s.
And Antonio returned to the fold as a pundit for Sunday's Community Shield between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Wembley where he insisted his playing days are far from over.
The former Nottingham Forest star confirmed he is talking to a "mixture" of clubs both in England and abroad.
The Jamaican star insists he has a lot left in the tank, so much so that he is targeting the 2026 World Cup which would see him competing in the esteemed competition for the first time ever.
Antonio told talkSPORT when asked if his new punditry role means we have seen the last of him on the pitch: "No, definitely not.
'I'm speaking to clubs right now to see where the best offer is for me to go, and we'll just see how it goes.
'To be honest, there's a mixture, we're talking to clubs here, we're talking to clubs abroad, but I'm going to leave it very vague - talk to clubs in England and abroad.
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'Indeed, 100 per cent [it's an aim to play in the US in 2026]. That's one thing I've not managed to achieve for myself, to be playing in the World Cup, and Jamaica are very close to it.
'It's not just that, I just wouldn't want my career to come to an end by a car crash, literally.
Michail Antonio admits he doesn't remember anything from horror crash that almost killed West Ham legend
'So I've got something to prove to show that I can come back, I can come back and play well, which I was doing for the last 10 years.
'Even before I did the car crash, I was starting for West Ham, so it shows that I've still got the ability about me and I can do it again"
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