Sources: West Ham ready to accept Michail Antonio offer
West Ham striker Michail Antonio is the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq, sources have told Football Insider.
The Middle East outfit, managed by former Aston Villa and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, are in the market for striking reinforcements ahead of the season’s kick-off on 14 August.
It is believed Antonio, 33, is joined on the shortlist by former Liverpool hitman Divock Origi.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Al Ettifaq have had encouragement from West Ham that the Jamaica international will be available this summer.
It is believed the Irons will not stand in the way of what would be a lucrative move for Antonio in the twilight years of his career.
He managed 14 goals across 48 games in all competitions last term as fellow strikers Danny Ings and Gianluca Scamacca struggled for form.
Six of those strikes came in the Europa Conference League as West Ham famously lifted the trophy with victory over Fiorentina in the final.
Antonio has just one year remaining on the reported £85,000-a-week contract he signed in 2022.
The former Nottingham Forest star has managed 61 Premier League goals since joining the club in 2015, making him the leading top-flight scorer for West Ham since 1992.
Football Insider revealed in April that Everton and Wolves were keen on signing Antonio in January – but a move failed to materialise.
Al Ettifaq, who have already agreed a reported £12million deal for Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, kick off their Saudi Pro League campaign against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on 14 August.
They finished seventh last term.
In other news, West Ham and Wolves set sights on signing Emiliano Martinez.