West Ham plans to extend MICHAIL ANTONIO's £90,000-per-week contract' in heartwarming gesture after his serious car crash

Wednesday, December 11, 2024 - West Ham are reportedly considering a move to extend Michail Antonio's contract in a heartwarming gesture following his serious car crash over the weekend. 

The 34-year-old Jamaican striker endured 'a lower limb fracture' after a crash in the Essex area involving Antonio's silver Ferrari, with the forward rushed to hospital.

The east London club later provided an update on the player's condition, informing the public that he was 'conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision' as images surfaced of a silver Ferrari with considerable damage to the front right wing. 

Local police have appealed for dash cam footage and witnesses as officers investigate the serious collision in Epping on Coppice Row which took place shortly after 12.50pm.

Following the crash, it emerged that the player - who has since undergone surgery, was trapped for more than 45 minutes as fire crews attempted to free him from his car.

According to The Times, West Ham are considering a heartwarming gesture to support Antonio and his family during his recovery.

The forward is not expected to feature for the rest of this season due to the injuries he suffered and his deal is set to expire in the summer.

However, the report claims that the Hammers may extend the 34-year-old's contract, with discussions to take place once he leaves the central London hospital he is in.

Antonio is said to be on more than £90,000-a-week, with the report adding that the club don't have insurance to cover the situation so will pay his wages for the rest of the season.

The forward is set to turn 35 in March and has 83 goals for the club since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2015, while he is also their record Premier League goalscorer.

If the Hammers were to extend Antonio's deal, it would come after they gave former defender Angelo Ogbonna an extra year when he suffered a serious knee injury in November 2021. 

The report goes onto add that the Hammers will auction off signed tops as well as match shirts from the game, with the proceeds to be split between the NHS and Air Ambulances UK charity.