The January transfer window is edging closer, but Leicester City may already be preparing to explore the free agent market in a bid to recruit striker Michail Antonio.
Following relegation from the Premier League last season, Leicester saw several prominent figures depart over the summer, including Mads Hermansen, James Justin, Conor Coady, Wilfred Ndidi, Kasey McAteer and Jamie Vardy.
Due to the Foxes’ widely reported financial constraints, it proved to be a subdued window for new arrivals, with Asmir Begovic brought in on a free transfer, while Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey and Julian Carranza all joined on loan deals.
It would be fair to describe Leicester’s start to the campaign as inconsistent, and although manager Marti Cifuentes has faced scrutiny from sections of the fanbase at different stages of the season, the club currently remain firmly in the play-off picture, albeit with the threat of a possible points deduction still hanging over them.
If Leicester are to sustain their promotion ambitions in the latter half of the season, Cifuentes may feel the need to reinforce his squad, and it emerged earlier this month that former West Ham United forward Antonio is currently training with the club.
Antonio netted 83 goals and registered 43 assists across 323 appearances during an impressive decade-long stint with the Hammers, but he has not featured since sustaining a serious broken leg in a car accident last December and was subsequently released by the Premier League side in the summer.
Marti Cifuentes provides update on possible Michail Antonio, Leicester City deal:
Offering the latest insight into Antonio’s situation, Cifuentes confirmed this week that the 35-year-old continues to train with Leicester, and having been encouraged by what he has seen so far, the Spaniard revealed that a decision on whether to offer a contract is expected shortly.
“He has been training with us and we are having a look and soon we will probably take a decision,” Cifuentes told Leicestershire Live.
“It would not make any sense that he was here if there was not interest from both sides. But this is always a negotiation and a conversation between two parties.
“He’s aware he could do a good job for us here. We think he could help us if he’s ready to help us and that’s what we’re discussing at the moment.
“We need to agree if we can do that, if we want to do that, if both parties feel happy to do it. I wouldn’t call it a trial. It’s more about getting to know each other and being aligned for the next (step) if it’s going to happen.
“He’s a player that has 17 years of experience of professional football. I don’t think anyone will be surprised by his quality or his level. At the same time, for the last year he has not been competing.”
Leicester City facing big Michail Antonio dilemma as Marti Cifuentes decision looms
Michail Antonio:
Considering his track record as a consistent scorer in the Premier League, there is little doubt Antonio could prove a valuable addition for Leicester in the Championship should he be given the chance to restart his career at the King Power Stadium.
With Patson Daka currently away on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Zambia, Carranza and Jordan Ayew are the Foxes’ only senior striking options available, and given neither has been especially clinical this season, Cifuentes could certainly use added attacking threat.
However, with Antonio having been absent from competitive action for over a year, questions remain over whether he can rediscover the form he displayed prior to his car crash, while Cifuentes must also weigh up how long it would take the striker to regain sharpness and full match fitness.
Capology estimates Antonio earned £85,000 per week, equating to £4,420,000 annually, during the final year of his West Ham deal last season. While he would almost certainly need to accept a substantial wage reduction to join Leicester, it is still unclear whether the club could accommodate even a reduced salary given their ongoing financial limitations.
Although he stopped short of offering any guarantees, Cifuentes’ remarks indicate a willingness to hand Antonio a contract, and a final decision on whether he will link up with the Foxes may be imminent.