Graham Potter confirms it is over for Michail Antonio at West Ham but linked-away duo are staying

Graham Potter has officially confirmed that Michail Antonio’s time at West Ham is over, marking the end of an era for the long-serving striker.

However, the Hammers boss also revealed that two other key players will be staying, as he shapes his squad ahead of the new season.

It is now official, Michail Antonio is no longer a West Ham player 10 years after joining in a bargain £7.5m deal from Nottingham Forest.

The forward, who turns 36 next season, has been adamant he can still play in the Premier League despite breaking his leg in four places in a car crash back in December.

West Ham have supported the stricken striker fully over the last six months – which Antonio has fully appreciated.

Hammers had stayed tight-lipped on Antonio’s future

The Jamaican forward even scored two goals for West Ham’s under 21s in a pre-season friendly last week.

Antonio hinted for the first time he would be leaving West Ham when he did an interview at the end of last season.

That was after he rejected a new short-term deal on reduced salary as he battles back to try and prove he can still operate at the top level and amid several reported offers from other clubs.

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Hammers fans have been divided over whether to give Antonio another year or part ways.

West Ham have stayed tight-lipped about Antonio’s situation when approached by Hammers News over the last few months.

Photo by Kevin Hodgson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Now Graham Potter has confirmed it is over for Antonio at West Ham but a linked-away duo are staying put.

West Ham announced the signing of Antonio’s friend Callum Wilson yesterday.

Only two years Antonio’s junior and a lot more injury prone, the signing has raised eyebrows.

Some fans feel the club should have kept Antonio on rather than sign Wilson.

But Hammers News revealed overnight that Wilson has accepted West Ham’s ultra low base salary with appearance and goal incentives that Antonio turned down.

Potter confirms it is over for Antonio at West Ham

Potter has previously said there would be an announcement on Antonio’s future at an appropriate time.

Now the Hammers’ head coach has confirmed Antonio’s unforgettable decade in east London is over.

However, Potter insists two stars who have been heavily linked with departures will be staying next season.

Asked whether Antonio is part of his plans for the forthcoming campaign following the signing of Wilson, Potter told BBC Sport: “No.”

Photo by Daniel Bartel – Premier League/Getty Images

Linked-away duo are staying at West Ham says Potter

Hammers News understands that West Ham are already making arrangements to welcome Antonio back to the London Stadium for a proper and deserved farewell at an appropriate time.

Although he said ‘anything can happen in the transfer window’, Potter has also confirmed Lucas Paqueta will be staying at West Ham.

And just as importantly he wants to.

“You never know for sure because anything can happen in the window with anybody…” Potter added ahead of the Premier League Summer Series clash with Bournemouth in Atlanta.

“Lucas is happy and committed. He is an important person in dressing room and at the club and we love him. We just want to help him enjoy his football.”

In coverage of Potter’s press conference on West Ham’s official website, the Antonio confirmation was left out, presumably ahead of a more formal announcement.

Marshall part of Potter’s first-team squad

But the manager did reveal that young forward Callum Marshall will not be leaving on loan.

Instead the Northern Ireland striker will be part of his first-team squad alongside Wilson and Niclas Fullkrug.

“He’s (Wilson) a different profile to someone like Niclas, but I think they’ll complement each other really well, as he will with the likes of Jarrod (Bowen), Lucas and Cal (Marshall).

“The season’s long, so it’s good to have different options.”

West Ham’s board revealed recently that Potter did not want to sign a new striker.

That worried them and fans given how fiercely competitive the Premier League is expected to be next season.

Whether a strike-force of Fullkrug, Wilson and Marshall have enough about them to help the Hammers reach their goals remains to be seen.

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