Michail Antonio ‘in talks’ with City’s relegation rivals after Leicester turned down short-term deal | OneFootball

Michail Antonio could be heading to the Championship, with initial talks under way with City’s relegation rivals over a short-term move, according to the BBC. Addicks manager Nathan Jones is keen to bring in the 35-year-old.

City had explored a similar plan, with the former West Ham forward training at Seagrave through December and into early January. Then-boss Marti Cifuentes said he suffered a muscle injury in training, so City did not pursue a deal.

Five weeks on, Antonio could yet line up for one of the sides City are battling near the bottom. The Addicks have taken seven points from their last nine, including a 2-0 win at the King Power Stadium, to pull away from danger.

They are now seven points clear of City, and of Blackburn in 22nd, and they have a game in hand over City and West Brom.

Antonio has not played a senior club match in 14 months after a serious road accident in December 2024. He did feature for Jamaica last summer and made a couple of appearances for West Ham Under-21s at the start of this season.

He then had a trial at Brentford before joining City for training, with Cifuentes enthusiastic about the possibility before the injury.

City appeared to prioritise a striker in January, but injuries elsewhere shifted focus and four deadline-day signings strengthened other areas. Dujuan Richards, loaned from Chelsea, was initially billed as a striker, though interim boss Andy King said he was signed to play on the right.

That leaves Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka as City’s centre-forward options, with Daka scoring his second league goal of the season in Tuesday night’s defeat to Southampton.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk