Michail Antonio set to quit West Ham after horror car crash despite being offered new contract amid ‘unique' situation
MICHAIL ANTONIO is heading towards the exit door at West Ham despite being offered a new deal.
The Hammers striker, 35, has not played since his horror crash in December, which required surgery on a broken leg.
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Antonio 's current deal at the London Stadium expires on June 30 and the club announced today that terms on a new deal are yet to be agreed.
The Jamaica international has been offered a short-term deal with a far lower base salary than his current £90,000-a-week contract.
Significant bonuses are included for any appearances Antonio would make next season.
However, West Ham 's all-time top Premier League goalscorer is seeking a higher base salary offer and is holding out for offers from elsewhere.
The club have done all they can to support his recovery, but will not be improving upon their offer and have indicated they would be pleased for Antonio should he secure better terms from another club.
Spending money is tight at the London Stadium this summer and there is a focus on bringing the average age of Graham Potter 's squad down.
Antonio, who is confident he will be able to play again, had urged Potter to include him in a Premier League squad towards the end of the season but it was thought too big of a risk.
The striker is now hoping to make his first appearance since the December car crash with Jamaica at this summer's Gold Cup, which starts next week.
Impressive performances with Jamaica could spark interest from other clubs, which is limited at this stage.
Antonio has already branched out to prepare for life after football, working with the BBC's Morning Live and as a pundit for TNT Sports during their coverage of the Conference League final.
West Ham star Michail Antonio shares footage of himself learning to walk again after escaping death in horror crash
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Announcing their retained list, the Hammers said in a statement: "Given Michail Antonio's unique situation, following his serious road traffic accident in December 2024, there will be no formal decision and announcement on his future until such time that it is considered right and appropriate.
"However, as his current contract is also due to expire on 30 June, for the purposes of the Premier League Retained List procedure at the end of the 2024/25 season, Michail will be listed as a free transfer.
"As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the club's absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level."
Former West Ham captain Kurt Zouma, who spent last season on loan at Saudi Pro League club Al-Orobah FC, will also formally depart with his contract ending this month.
Danny Ings, Aaron Creswell, Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski had already been confirmed as leaving at the end of their deals this summer.
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Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Thomas Frank has TEN priorities to sort at Tottenham: Big decisions to be made over six key players... and the one star he could bring Brentford
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘What the f*** are you doing?' – Thomas Frank nearly quit to be a teacher when Spurs chief first offered him job
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOMAS FRANK will reunite with an old pal when he starts at Tottenham - having been offered a job by the same friend around 20 years ago. The 51-year-old has replaced Ange Postecoglou at Spurs following the Europa League winner's dismissal. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Thomas Frank has been appointed as the new manager of Tottenham Credit: Getty 5 Frank reunites with Johan Lange, Tottenham's technical director Credit: Getty In doing so, he ended his seven-year spell with Brentford, where he was adored by fans. With just a shoestring budget, Frank took Brentford from the Championship and turned them into a strong Premier League side. The Dane's style of management has been admired by many clubs - including Manchester United, who reportedly considered him as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag last year. But his new home will be North London - largely thanks to one man in particular. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL MIC SWAP Carrick takes up new offer alongside Man Utd icon O'Shea just days after Boro axe Johan Lange, Tottenham's technical director, has a relationship with Frank that dates back around two decades. The former Brentford boss came close to quitting football altogether in his early thirties. Frank had spoken to his wife, Nanna, about giving up on his dream of coaching and instead becoming a teacher. That's when Lange came in. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Then working for Danish club B93 in Copenhagen, Lange approached Frank regarding a talent development position. After some careful consideration, he declined. BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou 5 Frank almost quit coaching in his early thirties Credit: Getty However, Frank went on to change his mind after being chastised by the instructor from his Uefa coaching course. Speaking to the Telegraph five years ago, the ex-midfielder said: "He (Uefa instructor) called me and said, 'What the f*** are you doing? This is your dream job. You need to take it.' "The rest is history." Frank and Lange did not spend much time together at B93 but they would meet again at Lyngby, another Danish club, a few years later. There, they would work alongside Niels Frederiksen and Kasper Hjulmand while honing their coaching craft. Now, almost two decades on from that first job together, they are colleagues once again. As the technical director of Tottenham, Lange would have played a role in bringing Frank to North London. The former Brentford favourite is now tasked with carrying Tottenham up the Premier League table. Despite winning the Europa League this term, the Lilywhites endured a terrible domestic season. They finished the campaign 17th in the Premier League table, just one place above the relegation zone. It was the club's poor form in the league which resulted in the dismissal of Postecoglou. 5
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
‘What the f*** are you doing?' – Thomas Frank nearly quit to be a teacher when Spurs chief first offered him job
THOMAS FRANK will reunite with an old pal when he starts at Tottenham - having been offered a job by the same friend around 20 years ago. The 51-year-old has replaced Ange Postecoglou at Spurs following the Europa League winner's dismissal. 5 In doing so, he ended his seven-year spell with Brentford, where he was adored by fans. With just a shoestring budget, Frank took Brentford from the Championship and turned them into a strong Premier League side. The Dane's style of management has been admired by many clubs - including Manchester United, who reportedly considered him as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag last year. But his new home will be North London - largely thanks to one man in particular. Johan Lange, Tottenham 's technical director, has a relationship with Frank that dates back around two decades. The former Brentford boss came close to quitting football altogether in his early thirties. Frank had spoken to his wife, Nanna, about giving up on his dream of coaching and instead becoming a teacher. That's when Lange came in. Then working for Danish club B93 in Copenhagen, Lange approached Frank regarding a talent development position. After some careful consideration, he declined. BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou 5 However, Frank went on to change his mind after being chastised by the instructor from his Uefa coaching course. Speaking to the Telegraph five years ago, the ex-midfielder said: "He (Uefa instructor) called me and said, 'What the f*** are you doing? This is your dream job. You need to take it.' "The rest is history." Frank and Lange did not spend much time together at B93 but they would meet again at Lyngby, another Danish club, a few years later. There, they would work alongside Niels Frederiksen and Kasper Hjulmand while honing their coaching craft. Now, almost two decades on from that first job together, they are colleagues once again. As the technical director of Tottenham, Lange would have played a role in bringing Frank to North London. The former Brentford favourite is now tasked with carrying Tottenham up the Premier League table. Despite winning the Europa League this term, the Lilywhites endured a terrible domestic season. They finished the campaign 17th in the Premier League table, just one place above the relegation zone. It was the club's poor form in the league which resulted in the dismissal of Postecoglou. 5
