Leeds want £69k-a-week star that made his debut at ER, described atmosphere as ‘unbelievable’

Leeds United are reportedly showing surprise interest in West Ham United striker Michail Antonio alongside Scottish champions Celtic – a player that actually made his debut at Elland Road, on loan from Reading at Cheltenham Town.

A report from Football Transfers says that 33-year-old Antonio is keen on leaving Leeds in the coming weeks. The striker feels his time at West Ham is up, after helping the Hammers win the Europa Conference League last season.

Now in the final 12 months of his contract, the £69k-a-week striker is looking to find himself a new home and Leeds are among the clubs interested. Brendan Rodgers, a man that was linked with the Leeds job, wants him at Celtic.

The report also states that there might be some interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, before the end of the window. There is a decision to make for Antonio – who was in Cheltenham’s starting line-up back in February 2019, at Leeds.

Antonio only lasted a short while before picking up an injury. Leeds won thanks to a Jonny Howson brace. Antonio told the BBC’s Footballer’s Football podcast about going from Non-League to Elland Road – in front of 22,000 fans.

“My debut with Cheltenham was crazy. Leeds at Elland Road. 22,000. Walked out and the roar; unbelievable, it was unreal,” Antonio said. “Non-league to Elland Road in League One. An amazing day. Tore three ligaments in my ankle.”

Leeds interested in Antonio, made debut at unbelievable Elland Road

If Antonio arrives at Elland Road before the end of the window, it will be a shock. Not least because the Hammers are yet to make any signings themselves – and Gianluca Scamacca is set to go. Leeds need a striker this summer.

But the chances of Antonio arriving in Yorkshire seem slim. His wages, West Ham’s need to sign strikers rather than sell and the fact that he still has something to offer in the top tier – makes it all unlikely he ends up at Elland Road.