The Michail Antonio saga has taken yet another unexpected turn, with Brentford reportedly deciding against signing the former West Ham United striker after a brief training stint with the club.
For years, Antonio has been a divisive figure among West Ham supporters. Some fans believed the 35-year-old deserved a contract extension after ten years of loyal service and countless memorable moments. Others felt it was time for both parties to move on, allowing the club to evolve beyond one of its longest-serving players.
A complicated departure
Antonio became a free agent in August after rejecting a short-term deal on reduced wages. Despite officially leaving West Ham, he continued training and even featuring for the club’s Under-21 side while weighing up potential offers from both domestic and overseas clubs.
With West Ham struggling for attacking depth, speculation grew that Antonio might yet return to the senior setup under new manager Graham Potter. However, those rumours were put to rest this week when it emerged that Antonio had cut all remaining ties with the club.
Instead, he began training with London rivals Brentford, who were reportedly assessing him as a potential short-term signing amid their own injury issues in attack. The move raised eyebrows—not least because Antonio could have made his debut for the Bees against West Ham at the London Stadium.
Brentford’s swift verdict
According to The Evening Standard, Brentford manager Keith Andrews had planned to evaluate Antonio over the international break before making a final call. But after just a few days, the club has decided not to offer him a contract.
Sources close to both clubs have confirmed that while Antonio impressed with his fitness and professionalism, Brentford ultimately opted to pursue other options. The decision leaves the veteran forward still searching for a new team, with no imminent offers on the table.
It’s an anticlimactic development for a player who remains West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer, though Jarrod Bowen is closing in fast on that milestone. Curiously, Antonio has yet to issue a farewell message to Hammers supporters, and the club has made no formal acknowledgment of his departure from the academy setup.
What’s next for Antonio?
With Brentford no longer an option, Antonio’s future in football is uncertain. There had been suggestions from within West Ham that Graham Potter might offer him a role on the coaching staff when he decides to retire, but the striker may still believe he has more to give on the pitch.
His resilience is well-documented — he made a remarkable recovery from a devastating car crash in December, returning to international duty with Jamaica just six months later.
In the meantime, Antonio has begun a new chapter off the field, joining TNT Sports as a pundit this season. Whether his next steps will keep him in the game as a player, coach, or full-time broadcaster remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his West Ham journey has ended in a way few would have predicted.