2026-02-19 15:31:55

Michail Antonio has reportedly entered contract talks with another football club as the 35-year-old striker attempts to complete a return to professional football following the car crash that left him with life-threatening injuries.

Michail, who has not played since December 2024, was grievously wounded in a crash involving his £260,000 Ferrari FF in Epping Forest.

He was trapped in the wreckage for 45 minutes after the horror smash, and sustained a broken femur in four places before being airlifted to hospital.

The Jamaica international was released by West Ham United when his contract expired the following summer.

Earlier this month, he was reported to be in talks with Charlton Athletic, and BBC Sport has since reported negotiations are also under way with Qatari side Al Sailiya.

Discussions with both clubs are said to be ongoing.

Charlton manager Nathan Jones indicated progress had been made but stopped short of confirming an agreement. Nathan added the wheels “were in motion” regarding a potential deal, but stressed there was “nothing to announce” at present.

Michail returned to training as he sought a new club and was seen working at the training ground of Leicester City in December.

But in January his attempt to resume playing – 13 months after the crash – was disrupted by a training injury.

Talks with Charlton, known as the Addicks, revived hopes of a comeback, before news emerged of discussions with Al Sailiya.

Michail grew up in south London and began his career with Tooting and Mitcham before leaving London football in 2009. He returned to the capital in 2015 to join West Ham, where he went on to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League era.

Following his release, he moved into punditry and was announced as part of the line-up for TNT Sports for the 2025-’26 season while continuing his efforts to resume his playing career.

Michail previously reflected on the severity of the crash, saying he had come “close to dying” and felt he had been given a second chance at life.

He told the BBC in March: “I shattered my femur bone in four different places. I had one single keyhole surgery.”

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