Michail Antonio has been handed a surprise opportunity to return to English football, with the West Ham United icon currently training with Championship rivals Watford in an attempt to earn a permanent deal.
The 36-year-old is a free agent after a brief spell with Qatari side Al-Sailiya and is now working with Watford at their Hertfordshire training base.
A successful trial could also set up an emotional reunion with West Ham before the end of the month.
Michail Antonio could face West Ham after Watford chance
Watford host West Ham at Vicarage Road on Saturday 29 August at 3pm BST, according to the Hammers’ confirmed Championship fixture schedule.
Antonio therefore has the possibility of lining up against his former club little more than two weeks after beginning his Watford trial.
His West Ham connection needs little introduction.
Antonio spent a decade in east London and remains the club’s record Premier League goalscorer with 68 goals, having made 268 appearances in the competition for the Hammers.
His final years at West Ham were complicated by the serious car crash he suffered in December 2024. Antonio fractured his leg but fought his way back to professional football after leaving the club in 2025.
He subsequently trained with Leicester City before a proposed move failed to materialise, while another opportunity with Brentford was disrupted by a calf injury. Antonio eventually returned to competitive football with Al-Sailiya, making four appearances in Qatar before leaving this summer.
Watford are now giving him another opportunity.
The Hornets have a young group of strikers and Antonio’s experience could provide something different as they prepare for another Championship campaign.
West Ham are beginning their own promotion push this weekend, with Nuno Espírito Santo still reshaping his squad ahead of the new Championship season.
Antonio first has to convince Watford that he deserves a contract.
If he does, one of West Ham’s biggest modern-day favourites could soon find himself lining up against the Hammers.
