West Ham United are set to make efforts to sell veteran duo Michail Antonio and Danny Ings in January, which will prove difficult.
According to Football Insider, West Ham United will try to sell veteran duo Michail Antonio and Danny Ings in the next window. The Hammers feel the January market would be their last chance to recoup money on the striker duo, although it will be difficult considering the players have the power to decide their futures.
Club finances are sometimes complicated, especially when it comes to recouping some money in a difficult market. West Ham United are trying to sell Danny Ings and Michail Antonio in January, with the veteran duo currently on expiring contracts.
The idea behind this decision is to recoup some money through their sales and save on their wages for at least six months so that they can reinvest in new signings. Antonio is up for sale despite starting games this season under Julen Lopetegui, although the Hammers boss is keen to sign another striker with the future in mind.
Hence, their links to Ayoze Perez make little sense, considering the 31-year-old Spaniard does not have longevity to offer in his career. However, he does have a good scoring record of late, and the need to bring a goal threat is why Lopetegui is looking at the Villarreal star, especially considering summer arrival Niclas Fullkrug has yet to click.
They also have ambitious targets like Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, who was close to signing for West Ham. The Hammers wanted to avoid meeting Villa’s valuation, and given his top performances since the new season began, the Colombian’s value has more than doubled. Either way, they are not planning the future with Ings or Antonio, meaning there’s every chance they will actively look to sell them in January.
Ings and Antonio will decide their future
West Ham might have this idea of selling the veteran duo in January. But in truth, the players hold the decision on their futures. A hasty move to another club may not come to suit either striker, meaning they could decide to sit tight and leave as free agents in the summer.
Hence, the veteran duo have the power to decide their immediate future, irrespective of what West Ham wants. As free agents, they could get better opportunities on the sporting and financial side, as it does seem unlikely they will leave in January.
