Crystal Palace are considering going back in for West Ham forward Michael Antonio this summer, according to a report in Football Insider.
It is claimed that a source from Crystal Palace has revealed that Antonio, 29, is the player Roy Hodgson would like to sign to replace Wilfried Zaha should his star man leave Selhurst Park.
Zaha has been strongly linked with a transfer away this summer after another strong season for Palace, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all thought to be interested.
The Ivory Coast international has said he wants to experience Champions League football, and at 26-years-old, he will have to move sooner rather than later if he wishes to play at the top level of European football whilst still in his prime.
It appears unlikely, therefore, that Palace will be able to hold onto the Ivory Coast international for another year and this report would suggest they are preparing themselves for his exit.
The Eagles have attempted to sign Antonio previously and it is said they were weighing up a bid of around £15million twelve months ago, but a deal never materialised.
However, after Antonio both scored and assisted seven goals last season, it seems as though Palace still see him as a player who would fit into their side nicely, particularly now they could find themselves in need of a new attacker.
Antonio still has two years left on his contract at West Ham, who will surely be keen to retain the services of the Englishman who can play in defence, on the left or right of midfield or across the front line.
The report confirms that the Hammers would be ‘reluctant’ to lose Antonio, but with Zaha anticipated to leave for a large fee, the offer they receive from Palace could prove too good to turn down.
