West Ham will offer Michail Antonio a new and improved contract – just months after signing a new four-year deal – in order to fend off interest from Premier League leaders Chelsea, Sky Sports can confirm.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is in the market for attacking reinforcements this window and has plenty to spend as a result of Oscar’s £60million move to China.
Antonio, who boasts eight goals in 19 Premier League appearances this campaign, has emerged as one of Conte’s top January targets, but West Ham insist the 26-year-old is not for sale.
Antonio’s versatility is thought to be one of the main attractions to Conte, having featured on both wings, right back and centre forward in the league already this season. The former Nottingham Forest man even featured as a number 10 against Chelsea in the EFL Cup earlier this season.
Chelsea are yet to make an approach for Antonio, Sky Sports understands, and West Ham are currently preparing a new and improved contract offer, to reward Michail for his fine form this season.
A new deal is unlikely to prevent Chelsea from turning Antonio’s head and is instead being used to preserve, and potentially increase the player’s value.
