A big name swap deal between West Ham and Leeds could be the perfect solution for all parties in the summer transfer window.
West Ham have been linked with wantaway Leeds United striker Wilfried Gnonto in the summer transfer window.
And Leeds have been linked with wantaway West Ham star Michail Antonio.
According to a report from The Mirror, the Hammers are keen to sign the Leeds attacker who angered fans this week when he refused to be selected for their League Cup win over Shrewsbury.
According to Football Transfers, Leeds want West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer Antonio as they hunt for attacking reinforcements.
Big name swap deal between West Ham and Leeds is the perfect solution for all parties in the summer window
Antonio has been angling for moves to MLS and Saudi but nothing has transpired. Meanwhile Prem clubs such as Everton and Wolves have failed to follow up on reported interest.
Gnonto has made it clear he wants to be back in the top flight and having sold his compatriot Gianluca Scamacca, West Ham are in serious need of a new forward.
So while it may be a rather simplistic take, a contra deal would surely work for everyone concerned?
A big name swap deal between West Ham and Leeds is be the perfect solution for all parties.
At almost 34, Antonio could do a lot worse than Leeds and Gnonto is just what West Ham need
Antonio turns 34 this season so he could do a lot worse than sign for a massive club like Leeds – even if they are in the Championship.
West Ham need a forward who can also operate out wide, so Gnonto makes perfect sense.
Hence why he has been heavily linked with the Hammers.
All promotion-chasing Championship sides need a powerful, all-action striker. And Antonio could enjoy a fantastic career swansong at Elland Road by providing just that.
Could this be a rare occasion in modern football where logic wins the day?
Gnonto has painted himself into a corner with his actions this week.
And West Ham fans are not best pleased with Antonio either after he referred to the club as “the team I’m currently employed by” when addressing the speculation linking him with the likes of Leeds.
With Gnonto being the much-younger player and an Italian international, West Ham would clearly have to part with cash as well as Antonio in any swap deal.
Could a middleground be found in the £10-15m mark in cash with Antonio worth between £5-8m on top as the makeweight? That would value Gnonto at a total of around £20-23m – a full £20m more than Leeds paid to sign him from Zurich last year.
Sometimes logic has no place in football. But this could be a situation where it makes perfect sense for West Ham, Leeds United and both players.