Leeds United to battle Celtic as Michail Antonio pushes ‘hard’ to for West Ham United transfer exit
Michail Antonio is “pushing hard” to leave West Ham this summer amid transfer interest from Leeds United, according to FootballTransfers.
The outlet reported on their website Monday (7 August) that the Whites are “keen” to sign the 33-year-old forward, with Celtic their primary competition as the two clubs are “chief among” various interested parties.
The Jamaica international has a year left on his contract at the London Stadium so it will require only a “small fee” to sign him before the window shuts, although David Moyes is expected to “block” any exit until he has found a replacement.
Patrick Bamford’s latest injury absence has contributed to a crisis at the striker position, with youngster Mateo Joseph also out alongside club-record signing Georginio Rutter.
Daniel Farke was forced to start Willy Gnonto as a central forward in the 2-2 draw with Cardiff City on Sunday (6 August).
Reliable option
Leeds United have long needed more back up for the ailing Bamford, and the start to the season has made that clear once more.
An obsession in recent windows with targeting supporting forwards rather than an actual number nine as left pressure on the English forward’s shoulders that his body hasn’t been able to withstand.
Even Antonio was once a right-back but has been leading the line at West Ham for long enough now to qualify as a genuine senior striker.
With 61 Premier League goals and 36 assists he could provide valuable cover and a veteran presence in the dressing room, and the fact that he shouldn’t be too expensive has to be attractive to Daniel Farke when his budget has been restricted by so many loan exits.
The draw of Champions League football with Celtic is a threat that would need to be overcome, and there is mooted interest from Saudi Arabia, but Elland Road in the Championship is hardly a backwater.
It appears it will rely on West Ham managing to sign targets of their own though, something they have so far proven incapable of doing despite selling Declan Rice for a guaranteed £100million to Arsenal.
Gianluca Scamacca also just left for Atalanta to reduce David Moyes’ striking options, so while there is logic to a push for Antonio from a Leeds perspective it could be undercut by events, or lack thereof, at West Ham.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are also in talks to sign a defender and his club won’t stop him from leaving.