West Ham United are reportedly preparing to sell veteran forwards Michail Antonio and Danny Ings in the January transfer window, though the move may prove challenging.
According to Football Insider, the club is looking to offload the duo, with both players nearing the end of their contracts.
The January window is seen as the last opportunity for the Hammers to recoup any transfer fees for the pair, but whether the players themselves agree to leave is another matter.
Antonio, who has been a mainstay in the West Ham squad for several years, has continued to feature regularly under manager David Moyes.
However, despite his contributions, the club is looking towards the future and planning for life without the 33-year-old striker. Ings, who joined West Ham in January 2023, has struggled to establish himself as a consistent first-team player.
As a result, the Hammers are now keen to part ways with both players in order to free up wages and reinvest in younger, longer-term options.
West Ham’s desire to bring in a new striker is clear, with the club being linked to various targets. Among these is Villarreal’s Ayoze Pérez, who, despite being 31, has shown a good scoring record of late.
Another player on their radar is Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán, a young talent who was close to joining West Ham in the summer.
However, Villa’s high valuation of the Colombian forward deterred the Hammers from sealing the deal.
Since then, Durán’s performances have seen his market value rise, making a January pursuit even more costly.
Despite West Ham’s eagerness to sell, the power ultimately rests with Antonio and Ings. Both players are in the latter stages of their careers and may prefer to run down their contracts and leave as free agents in the summer, when they could potentially secure more lucrative deals elsewhere.
A move in January would likely involve a quick transition to a new club, which may not appeal to either striker. By waiting until the summer, they could explore a wider range of options and potentially secure better sporting and financial opportunities.
In truth, West Ham’s hopes of selling the pair in January hinge on the players’ willingness to leave. If Antonio and Ings decide to stay, the club could find themselves paying their wages until the end of the season, missing out on the chance to bring in transfer fees.
Whether or not the Hammers manage to execute their January plan, the focus will remain on rebuilding the squad and preparing for the future without the veteran strikers.