Major Michail Antonio update as bizarre West Ham situation takes strange new turn

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Things just keep getting stranger for Michail Antonio and West Ham after an update from a leading Hammers insider.

A major new update has emerged on the striker’s situation — and it’s taken yet another unexpected twist in what’s becoming one of the most bizarre and intriguing scenarios of the season.

When Graham Potter let a cumulative 30 plus years of experience walk out of West Ham in the summer eyebrows were understandably raised.

It has been clear for some time that the Hammers needed a refresh and to lower the age of the Premier League’s oldest squad.

But it was a big risk letting Aaron Cresswell, Michail Antonio, Lukasz Fabianski and Vladimir Coufal all walk out of the door at the same time.

Nuno immediately sees his most striking West Ham issue

A risk that backfired based on West Ham’s results, performances and – until now at least – lack of character, leadership and nous.

Potter paid the ultimate price for that as he was sacked and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.

If he didn’t know it already, the Portuguese will have quickly realised his biggest single issue at West Ham is up front.

Potter released Antonio and then signed ageing forward Callum Wilson as his replacement.

Niclas Fullkrug has been abysmal in Nuno’s first two games and young Callum Marshall got the nod ahead of Wilson when the German was subbed off against Arsenal.

Speculation is already rife Nuno wants a striker signed the moment January rolls around with links to the likes of Chris Wood and Joshua Zirkzee.

But there has always been a theory that Antonio will re-join the Hammers.

Especially as he has been training with the east Londoners and playing games here and there for the development side.

The notion is not that far-fetched given the Hammers have done it in the past with the likes of Carlton Cole – and even this summer by bringing Fabianski back.

Now there has been a major Antonio update as his bizarre West Ham situation takes a strange new turn.

Antonio reportedly rejected a lower salary, short-term deal to sign an extension with the Hammers at the end of last season.

Major Antonio update as bizarre West Ham situation takes strange new turn

The striker had miraculously battled back from breaking his leg in four places in that horrific car crash back in December.

But on August 7th, West Ham officially announced Antonio was leaving the club after 10 years.

Two months to the day since that announcement, the 35-year-old remains a free agent.

That’s despite Antonio insisting he was weighing up several offers from clubs in England and abroad.

In an update from a confidant of David Sullivan last month, it was claimed West Ham would not be emulating the Fabianski U-turn by re-signing Antonio.

Since then, though, the Hammers have a new manager.

The reason theories persist that Antonio will be brought back is because he has continued to train at West Ham and – after a decade of service – has not said any kind of farewell to the Hammers by way of a message on social media, the official site or a video.

Players who have been at West Ham a fraction of the time Antonio has, and who have achieved far less, have released goodbye statements and videos – some of them in tears.

After everything Antonio and West Ham went through together – not to mention the fact he is the club’s all-time Premier League top goalscorer – it is the least supporters expected.

Now there has been a major update on Antonio from Hammers insider ExWHUemployee.

Speaking on the latest West Ham Way podcast, ExWHUemployee has revealed Antonio is now no longer training with West Ham.

But he says there has been no communication of his next steps or any plans to bring him back as a player or, as was hinted at by Potter before his sacking, a coach.

Antonio no longer at West Ham as all ties cut

“I asked the other day what the Antonio situation was because obviously he was still training with West Ham and playing for the Under 21s,” ExWHUemployee said.

“What I was told is that he is not at West Ham anymore, he’s not been coming in to train and he’s not played for the Under 21s recently so I think his ties have been officially cut.”

Ex remarked it was interesting that the club had not done anything to formally announce the fact Antonio has now cut all ties with the Hammers.

“Whether they’re still hanging on to maybe bringing him back as a player, or certainly a member of staff, it’s not been confirmed,” Ex added while laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

“Officially he hasn’t been in the building for a while but as I say it’s not been announced anywhere (from the club or player) that he’s definitely gone.”

Despite taking up a punditry role with TNT Sports, Antonio – as recently as last month – insisted he is looking to continue his playing career and even featured for Jamaica in internationals over the last few months.