Michail Antonio’s time at West Ham United appears to be ticking down after negotiations over his tenure reached a standstill. The Jamaican forward’s contract is set to expire at the end of June, concluding a decade-long stint with the club.
Antonio, whose name featured on West Ham’s list of free agents, has his future hanging in the balance as the Hammers have deferred any verdict on his situation while he recovers from a severe leg break resulting from a tragic car accident last term.
The club released a statement saying: “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.”
They further clarified his contractual status by adding: “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.”
West Ham acknowledged Antonio’s deep ties to the team, stating: “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.”, reports the Mirror.
Despite the affection and respect, signs from The Athletic suggest that an extension of his stay looks bleak, potentially spelling the conclusion of a storied chapter at West Ham for the cherished striker.
West Ham’s veteran star Michail Antonio has silenced any whispers about his future by vowing he will return to the pitch after overcoming a devastating injury that could have spelled the end of his career.
The 35 year old, who has become an iconic figure at the London Stadium since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2015, suffered a severe setback that has seen him endure months of painstaking rehabilitation. During his arduous recovery process, Antonio reassured fans of his unwavering determination, saying: “Yes, 100 per cent. I will play again. It’s the biggest injury I’ve ever had in my career.”
Despite admitting that he faced an uncertain road to recovery, Antonio’s unshakeable confidence and accelerated progress in his rehabilitation left no doubt about his ambitions: “But the fact that I’m already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I’ll play again, and I know that once I’m playing the game I’ll get the sharpness back.”
Having long proved his doubters wrong throughout a remarkable career that has seen him rack up 323 appearances, 83 goals, and a Europa Conference League title, Antonio remains driven by a fierce mentality: “People have always doubted me. My mental strength is something that I’ve always believed in and this is just another setback, and it is not going to stop me.”
And true to his word, the talismanic forward went on to prove his doubters wrong when he took to the pitch once again, featuring for Jamaica in their CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign. Coming on as a substitute in their 2-1 victory over Guadeloupe, Antonio marked a triumphant return to action – his first outing since December.
