West Ham: Board told powerhouse needs to be at London Stadium this summer

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted it would be “ridiculous” for West Ham to allow Michail Antonio to leave.

Antonio has been at WEST HAM for a good few years now and has been a firm fans favourite – with his power and work-ethic on that pitch nothing more than brilliant.

However – he has fallen to third-choice striker in the pecking order behind recent signings Gianluca Scamacca and Danny Ings, and was open to a move away from the club in the January transfer window, with Aston Villa reportedly keen with a move.

He is a man that wants to be playing on a weekly basis – and is now looking to depart the club in order to make the move to link-up with Steven Gerrard’s Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ettifaq

However – they have beeN told that is would be ridiculous to let Antonio leave the club this summer.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID – .

Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “I don’t think the time’s right to let him go. It would be ridiculous.

“WEST HAM need to bring in another striker, not lose one. He was key to the way they played last season.

“I wouldn’t let him go, but I understand why he would want to make that move. He’s just won a European trophy, he’s been at the club a long time – and it’s probably the last chance to get the big bucks.

“I wouldn’t blame him.

“But if you’re West Ham, I don’t see what they do without him. Scamacca isn’t good enough, nor is Danny Ings.

“They need two strikers. They’re in the Europa League and they haven’t signed anyone. They’ve got to get their act together.”

RIGHT TIME TO LEAVE?

He may never get the opportunity that he is being presented with to collect a massive wage for the next couple of seasons before he hands up his boots – this is the right move for the powerhouse to make.

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