Newcastle United are interested in signing West Ham attacking midfielder Michail Antonio this summer after he was made surplus to requirements by Manuel Pellegrini, according to Team Talk.
The football site claim the Magpies have joined Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and newly-promoted Wolves in the hunt for the 28-year-old, who does not figure in the plans of the recently-appointed manager.
Team Talk claim West Ham will listen to offers for Antonio and are already in talks with Crystal Palace over a summer transfer even though he signed a four-year contract just over 12 months ago.
OPINION
Would Antonio be a good signing for Newcastle? Yes, he certainly would. His endeavour, mobility and skill at being able to play any number of positions – the Hammers have used him at full-back, wide midfield and both in secondary striker and even centre-forward roles – mean he is worth his weight in gold. Antonio is especially useful for Premier League sides who don’t hog the ball. Pellegrini intends for West Ham to be more of a possession side next season who will devise clever passing combinations to unhinge opponents. That is not really Antonio’s game. The player who has spent most of his professional career in the lower leagues is a matchwinner good enough to score nine Premier League goals two seasons ago, the majority of which were with his head. He is brilliant in aerial duels and is at his most effective at set-pieces or finishing off counter-attacks. That could suit Newcastle to a tee.
