Michail Antonio is set to sign a five-and-a-half year contract at West Ham worth £70,000 a week as a reward for the impressive performances that have earned a call-up to the England squad.
Antonio, who joined West Ham in September 2015 for around £7m, agreed a four-year deal last summer having established himself as one of Slaven Bilic’s key players by scoring eight Premier League goals.
The 26-year-old winger has carried on that form, already matching his tally from last season and providing all three assists for West Ham in the 3-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
That prompted the vice-chairman, Karren Brady, to pay tribute to the player who began his career at non-league Tooting & Mitcham in the week that Dimitri Payet told West Ham he wanted to leave. “Michail Antonio was in bed with flu yesterday, got out of bed pulled on his shirt & played magnificently today – that’s dedication for you,” Brady wrote on Twitter.
It is understood interest from Chelsea prompted West Ham to secure Antonio on a long-term deal that doubles his salary of £35,000 a week.
Payet, who is paid £125,000 a week, is expected to be allowed to join Marseille if they significantly increase their offer from £20m, although West Ham are insistent there is no financial pressure on them to sell a player whose deal runs out in 2021.
West Ham are also hopeful of striking a deal to sign Brentford’s Scott Hogan, having seen three bids rejected for the 24-year-old. Watford and Palace remain interested as the Championship side hold out for a fee close to £15m for the former Rochdale striker.
