Head has to rule heart for West Ham when it comes to Michail Antonio's future
Many supporters arrived at the London Stadium on May 18 to bid farewell to stalwarts Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal following the news they would be leaving after the expiry of their contracts on June 30. But for those who intently scoured the dugout, they would have noticed the non-arrival of Michail Antonio, who was conspicuous by his absence.
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It is pertinent to wonder if he opted against attending because he remained hopeful his 10-year spell as a West Ham player had not reached its course. At the time, the 35-year-old forward, whose deal also expires on June 30, was engaged in contract talks with majority shareholder David Sullivan and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay. Although talks had reached an impasse, Antonio was optimistic there would eventually be a breakthrough. But there has been no significant progress and, on Monday, the London-born Jamaica international is set to be released.
It would mark a sad end to his spell given his club-legend status. Antonio joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest in 2015 and is their all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 68 goals in 268 games. He ranks third in West Ham's history for the number of Premier League appearances (268), behind Cresswell (312) and ex-captain-turned-sporting-director Mark Noble (414).
Antonio's last appearance for West Ham was in a 3-1 defeat by Leicester City on December 3. He hoped to extend his stay after his miraculous recovery from a serious car crash in December, when he was involved in a single-vehicle collision after the Ferrari he was driving struck a tree in Epping Forest.
He underwent surgery on a lower limb injury and spent four and a half weeks recovering in hospital, returning to fitness ahead of schedule having initially been informed his rehabilitation would take 12 months. He was given a guard of honour by his team-mates when he returned to full training on May 5 but much to Antonio's frustration, the club's hierarchy has decided to go in a new direction.
Antonio made an emotional return to the London Stadium in March before the 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, and some supporters paraded banners as a mark of respect.
Whatever happens next, he will be fondly remembered for how he reinvented himself as a striker under former manager David Moyes, memorably scoring four goals against Norwich City in July 2020, becoming the first West Ham player to do so since David Cross in 1981. There's also his quirky goal celebrations and his unselfishness when played at right-back under Slaven Bilic.
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Antonio reached double figures in goals for four consecutive seasons, between 2019-20 and 2022-23. He remained crucial amid the club's perennial failure to find his replacement. In January 2023, the striker had interest from Everton, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Last summer, the club rejected an offer from Brazilian side Gremio for the forward.
During West Ham's previous failed searches for Antonio's successor, there have been failed bids for Dominic Solanke, then of Bournemouth; Jhon Duran, formerly of Aston Villa; and Hugo Ekitike, back when the in-demand Frenchman played for Reims, among other forwards. Gianluca Scamacca, Jordan Hugill, Jonathan Calleri, Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez, Simone Zaza, Lucas Perez, Sebastien Haller and Albian Ajeti have come and gone, while Antonio has remained a fixture at the London Stadium, often entrusted with playing as a lone striker.
'It was always a journey with Michail, not just one moment,' former West Ham boss Bilic told The Athletic last year. 'When I was manager, the fans would always say: 'Let's sign a striker'. First, we brought (Simone) Zaza, then, after me, they signed (Sebastien) Haller, (Gianluca) Scamacca, but it was always Michail who was the first choice.
'What makes me smile the most is the fact that he's gone on to become a West Ham legend. They tried to say he was just a Championship player, but he's proved them all wrong.'
Despite his longevity, Antonio's impending departure is the best move for both parties, with head coach Graham Potter aiming to kickstart a new era in 2025-26.
The forward scored just one goal in 14 league appearances before his season was curtailed. Early on, when he was restored to the XI following Niclas Fullkrug's struggles with injuries, it was clear that Antonio's impact had regressed.
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His sole goal came against relegated side Ipswich Town in October and following that match, in starts against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United and Arsenal, Antonio was often hooked early by former manager Julen Lopetegui.
Another potential factor behind the hierarchy opting to let Antonio go is their focus on transitioning to a more youthful side. Last season, the average age of West Ham's team was the joint-oldest in the Premier League (28.8 years old, level with Everton). Of their 28-man squad, 12 players were aged 30 or over. Including Antonio, five of those will now search for new clubs.
Antonio hopes his involvement with Jamaica in the Gold Cup will attract potential suitors. He made his comeback from injury as an 85th-minute substitute in Jamaica's opening group-stage defeat to Guatemala on June 17, before cameo appearances — from the 81st minute and 72nd minute — in subsequent games against Guadeloupe and Panama, respectively.
'From where he was after the accident to be playing and walking is a miracle,' manager Steve McClaren told reporters after Jamaica's first match. 'We're delighted because we need that kind of leadership. We'll build up his fitness as much as we can. It was good to get him minutes, although he didn't have the fairytale of scoring.'
Although Jamaica have been eliminated from the competition, Antonio will be encouraged that he proved doubters wrong.
'It's a bit of a surprise being back so early, but something that I worked hard for and the graft that I put in to be here,' Antonio told the Jamaica Gleaner earlier this week. 'Hopefully, I can show everyone that I'm not just back, but I'm back and playing well.
'Before the very first game, preparing for it when being on the coach, I felt lost. Even in the changing room, some of my team-mates asked if I was alright because I was zoned out. But when the opportunity came to come on the pitch, my body felt ready.'
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If Antonio departs, it will not be the ending he would have envisioned for his West Ham career. He may well have already prepared a heartfelt statement eulogising the fans and his team-mates for their unwavering love and support. He will duly receive an outpouring of love if his departure is confirmed.
But when the tears have dried up and the dust settles before a new chapter, Antonio will be aware of the profound impact joining West Ham has had on his life and career.
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