West Ham United have reportedly opened negotiations with long-serving striker Michail Antonio over a new contract.
The 33-year-old was tipped to leave the Irons during the summer transfer window amid links with Al Ettifaq, who are managed by former Reds midfielder Steven Gerrard.
However, a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia did not materialise for Antonio, who has started another season as David Moyes's first-choice number nine despite the summer saga.
The Jamaica international has hit the ground running this term with two goals from his opening five appearances, making the net bulge against Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Antonio's contract at the London Stadium is due to run out at the end of the current campaign, although the Irons possess the option to extend his stay for another 12 months.
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Now, Football Insider claims that talks are underway to tie Antonio down to a longer-term deal, and despite his age, he is still viewed as a key part of West Ham's future.
The 33-year-old was expected to be demoted down to second choice last summer following the arrival of Gianluca Scamacca, but the Italian failed to displace Antonio during a troubled season in the English capital.
Danny Ings is also below Antonio in the pecking order, while summer signing Mohammed Kudus is yet to displace the former Nottingham Forest man at the tip of the attack either.
West Ham forked out just £8.2m to bring Antonio to the club from Forest in 2015, and the marksman has since come up with 77 goals and 43 assists in 281 matches for the Hammers in all tournaments.
Antonio managed 10 goals in each of the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 Premier League seasons, while he ended the 2022-23 campaign with 14 strikes and five assists to his name from 48 contests in all competitions.
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Antonio netted six goals in nine Europa Conference League games en route to the continental crown, but even if he does extend his stay, the Hammers could still look to sign another striker in 2024.
Paris Saint-Germain's Hugo Ekitike was thought to have been a prime target over the summer, as the French champions desperately tried to offload him to raise funds for Randal Kolo Muani.
Ekitike remained at the Parc des Princes, though, apparently to PSG's anger, but West Ham are supposedly planning to reignite their interest in the Frenchman during the January window.
Moyes's side begin their Europa League campaign against Serbian outfit Backa Topola on Thursday before travelling to Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
