West Ham have reached an agreement to sign a seasoned Premier League striker as they look to replace the long-serving Michail Antonio.
Antonio has been a cornerstone at the London Stadium since arriving from Nottingham Forest in 2015, and is the Hammers’ top goalscorer in Premier League history.
But with his contract now expired and no fresh terms agreed, the Jamaica international will depart the club before the window closes.
Antonio, 35, returned to football after a horror car crash last December, suiting up for West Ham’s Under 21s in a preseason friendly last month.
While the club have pledged to support him through his comeback, he has been officially listed as a free agent.
Indeed, West Ham have turned to another experienced veteran to head their attack, striking a deal to sign former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson on a free transfer, as per The Athletic.
West Ham have reportedly agreed a one-year deal with free agent striker Callum Wilson
Wilson will replace fellow veteran Michail Antonio, who will depart West Ham after 10 years
West Ham have already signed three players this summer – Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Kyle Walker-Peters
Wilson has reportedly had his medical with the east London club, whom he will join on a one-year deal.
The 33-year-old endured an injury-ridden campaign at Newcastle last season, starting just two Premier League games and scoring one goal in all competitions.
At the start of July, he announced his departure from the club as a free agent.
During his spell on Tyneside, Wilson scored 49 goals in 130 games and enjoyed his most prolific season in front of goal under Eddie Howe. In 2022-23, the forward netted a career-best 18 league goals.
His bright form even earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad at the 2022 World Cup, where he earned a cap against Iran in a group phase match.
Prior to his stint at Newcastle, Wilson was Bournemouth star frontman, scoring 67 goals in 187 appearances and playing a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2015.
Wilson is West Ham’s fourth summer addition, with Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan move from OGC Nice being made permanent, El Hadji Malick Diouf joining from Slavia Prague, and Kyle Walker-Peters arriving as a free agent.
