It has surfaced that West Ham, along with manager David Moyes, may lose another important member of their team this summer.
Hammers return to Lopetegui on
Given that David Moyes’ contract expires at the end of the Premier League season, a change in the West Ham technical staff appears certain this summer.
Julen Lopetegui, the former manager of Real Madrid and Wolves, is one man who has been frequently connected. Their dreams of hiring the Spaniard as their new head coach were dashed, though, when it was revealed over the weekend that he would have preferred to join AC Milan over the Hammers. It is “very very unlikely” that he will move to Serie A, even if his position has probably not changed, according to The Guardian, who also reports that Milan are “having second thoughts” about appointing him as the new coach at San Siro. This has made it possible for West Ham to make another move. The London team has “held productive talks” with the 57-year-old, but they are also considering other options. Although Moyes’ departure seems inevitable, no official decision has been made regarding his future as of yet. He might not be the only well-known player to go. With plans to quit West Ham, Michail Antonio
This coincides with reports from Football Insider that striker Michail Antonio will sign a free agent contract this summer.
A part of the Hammers squad since 2015, Antonio headed home his 67th goal to rescue a point for his side against Liverpool, and has been a mainstay in the side in recent years.
With a successful finish to the season, he has the potential to surpass his record as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
Even though Antonio was in a slump last season, Moyes praised the player’s value to his team in a speech from the previous year: “Getting goals this season has not been easy for him.” He is essential to us. He plays such a significant role for us. And the club needs goals.”
But like Moyes, the striker’s £100,000 per week contract ends this summer, and there has been no recent effort to lock him down to a new contract. The striker’s current contract has an option for a further 12 months, but it’s reportedly possible that West Ham will waive it and allow him to leave for free.
On the other hand, if their recent performance is any indication, they may have trouble replacing him. Since the Jamaican arrived, they have signed ten strikers, of which only Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic can legitimately claim to have achieved any kind of success.
Dominic Solanke, a striker for Bournemouth, is reportedly the target of West Ham’s “scouring the market” for a replacement. However, Solanke would cost more than £50 million.
