West Ham on verge of big contract announcement over star Michail Antonio – reports

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West Ham are on the verge of making a big contract announcement over star Michail Antonio according to reports circulating overnight.

As West Ham’s only senior striker Antonio is literally priceless to David Moyes right now.

He may not have scored since the win over Spurs in October but there were signs Antonio had clicked back into gear in the second half of the win over Chelsea last weekend.

Earlier this week, The Athletic made a big claim over the future of Antonio with the January transfer window just a few weeks away.

Recent rumours that bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur wanted to sign Antonio (Teamtalk) were laughed off by West Ham fans. And with good reason. It was possibly the most cringeworthy transfer story of the year so far.

The Athletic revealed that the Hammers are in a very comfortable situation regarding the 31-year-old’s contract.

Antonio was one of a host of West Ham stars completely rested from the squad for last night’s Europa League dead rubber against Dinamo Zagreb.

“Antonio’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023 — and in normal circumstances, West Ham would have to move urgently to extend his deal,” The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas reported.

“But The Athletic understands the club have the option to extend his contract by a further year until the summer of 2024.

“That means West Ham are in control of the situation for the next two and a half years. The club will review Antonio’s contract in the summer, with a view to the forward potentially getting a pay rise.”

West Ham on verge of big contract announcement over star Michail Antonio – reports

But now new reports from self-styled transfer insider Pedro Almeida and others suggest Antonio is set to sign a new deal imminently until 2024.

Regardless of Antonio’s contract situation West Ham need another striker in the January window.

That was already evident during the summer when Moyes spoke to seven strikers but could not persuade any of them to play second fiddle to Antonio.

Speaking after the Chelsea game, Moyes has given a detailed update on what he wants if he does move to sign a forward next month.

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