‘I saw him yesterday’ – Michail Antonio backed to complete ‘no-brainer’ Leeds United move
Michail Antonio has been tipped to complete an ideal move to Leeds United with the striker available to play after leaving West Ham on a free.
Following their sensational 100-point Championship title-winning season last time out, the Peacocks are back in the English top-flight after a 2-year absence.
Daniel Farke’s side delighted Elland Road with their fast, frenetic and goals-heavy football which saw them score a league-high 95 goals last season.
Now rubbing shoulders again with the big boys, the German has been eager to bolster his attack with Football Insider exclusively revealing on 10 June that Leeds were readying a move for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
Little progress has been made with the Brazilian, yet, attention could be turned towards bringing in free agent Antonio who is on the hunt for a new club.
Michail Antonio the ‘type of player’ Leeds United fans would adore
Speaking on talkSPORT (11 August), ex-Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour and former Rangers striker Ally McCoist were discussing the possibility of the Jamaican international joining the newly-promoted side.
The retired England man said: “It’s a no-brainer, you might as well take him [Antonio].
“You know he’s got all the experience, he can probably help the young players in the club itself. He can be the last 15/20 minutes off-the-bench, things like that.”
His Scottish counterpart agreed with the ex-Gunner, adding: “I saw him [Antonio] yesterday (10 August), he looks extremely fit, raring to go and I actually think the Leeds fan would really like him.
“He’s the type of player Leeds fans would take to.”
Nothing to lose for Leeds by bringing in Antonio
Football Insider verdict
Given the shortage of goal-hungry forwards, barring Joel Piroe, for Leeds, landing the signature of the former Hammer makes a lot of sense.
The Jamaica international has an immense array of Premier League experience, often a critical component which can be the difference in keeping a promoted side up or sending them tumbling back down to the second-tier.
Evidently, the 35-year-old’s Midas golden goal-scoring touch has deserted him in recent campaigns, but being utilised as a squad player would greatly improve the Peacocks.
| Michail Antonio Premier League stats | |
| Appearances | 268 |
| Goals | 68 |
| Assists | 33 |
Alluding to Parlour’s point, his knowledge would be lucrative for youth prodigies such as 16-year-old Harry Gray, who could learn from the ex-Irons frontman.
Moreover, with Patrick Bamford struggling to find any kind of form when called upon, along with the susceptibility to injury of Lukas Nmecha, having another dependable weapon up top to call upon should be welcomed by Farke.
Equally, the Yorkshire outfit could easily sign Antonio on a one-year deal, if he fails to impress then he can leave on a free.
But, if he greatly boosts the performances of the side, extending for another year could be a sensible play, making it a nothing to lose situation for the German manager.