West Ham United is reportedly considering extending Michail Antonio's contract as a gesture of support after the Jamaican striker suffered a serious car accident over the weekend. The 34-year-old sustained a lower limb fracture in a crash involving his silver Ferrari in Essex and is currently recovering after surgery in a central London hospital.
The club provided an update on Antonio’s condition, confirming he is "conscious and communicating" while under close medical supervision. Photos from the scene revealed significant damage to the front right wing of his car. Emergency responders reported that Antonio was trapped in the vehicle for over 45 minutes before fire crews managed to free him.
Essex Police have launched an investigation into the collision, which occurred shortly after 12:50 p.m. on Coppice Row in Epping, and have appealed for witnesses and dash cam footage to aid their inquiries.
According to The Times, West Ham is exploring the possibility of extending Antonio’s contract, which is set to expire in the summer. Discussions are expected to begin once the player is discharged from the hospital. Despite Antonio being unlikely to play for the rest of the season, the club plans to continue paying his £90,000-a-week wages, as the situation is not covered by insurance.
Antonio, who joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest in 2015, has become a vital figure at the club, scoring 83 goals and holding the record as their all-time leading Premier League scorer. If his contract is extended, it would mirror the club’s decision in 2021 to grant Angelo Ogbonna an additional year after he suffered a serious knee injury.
In a further show of solidarity, West Ham is organizing an auction of signed shirts and match-worn tops from an upcoming game, with proceeds being donated to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK charity.
This gesture underlines the club’s commitment to supporting Antonio through his recovery and recognizing his contributions to West Ham over nearly a decade.
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