Michail Antonio: My future is at West Ham United

With the absence of Andy Carroll for a majority of the season, West Ham United have looked for other heroes to emerge and nail their name to Hammer history. Former Nottingham Forest attacker Michail Antonio has exceeded all expectations since arriving in 2015. Unfortunately, Hammer fans are not the only ones to take notice of the 26 year old’s talents.

Antonio spent the majority of his unique career navigating the harrowed roads of the Championship and League One. Moving from loan deal to loan deal, Michail was meticulously perfecting his craft, morphing into the high octane workhorse we love today. His efforts, energy, enthusiasm, and versatility have been vital to West Ham United’s success this season. One would think a new lucrative contract would be thrown at the playmaker in order to ensure a high level of performance continues. However, when dealing with the Davids’ Gold & Sullivan, money is always going to complicate matters, and nothing is private.

Sure it’s all Michail’s 2016 goals but I love this video, what of it!

Michail Antonio is currently earning roughly £35,000 a week in wages. Rumors would put the desired number closer to £70K. While he hasn’t earned his first England cap as of yet, he has been called up earlier this year, and might still be called up during the next international break. West Ham would do well to lock up a new contract now, to avoid any more complications going into the next transfer window.

Recently, comments made by the Hammer attacker have dumped gasoline onto the inferno. It has been widely reported Chelsea boss, Antonio Conte, has been very interested in bringing on the grafter. At the peak of these rumors, Sky Sports asked Antonio about his contract negotiations to which he said:

"Right now, nothing is really happening on the contract talks," Antonio told Sky Sports News HQ. "We'll just see how things go. At the moment my head is not being swayed in any way. I just want to play my football and whatever happens happens.

When asked whether he will sign a new deal, Antonio said: "We'll see."

Today, the young East London star back peddled, after a bit of a backlash from the Hammer community. In his most recent statement Michail has said:

"I see my future at West Ham, definitely. I have enjoyed my time here, they gave me the opportunity and there is no need for me to change. I am not distracted, not at all. It's all down to what I do on the field. I take it more as a compliment but if I stop doing what I am doing, those reports will stop happening."

This is certainly comforting for fans, but the real drama will continue behind the scenes. While Gold & Sullivan will take inventory of their stockpile, Antonio will keep doing what he does best. Giving the fans, his teammates, and the badge everything he has and leaving nothing on the pitch.