Championship relegation rivals hold talks with ex-West Ham man Michail Antonio over move ahead of Portsmouth contest
Pompey face Championship relegation rivals Charlton Athletic at The Valley next week.
Charlton Athletic are looking to venture into the free-agent market ahead of their crucial contest against Pompey next week.
Action is coming thick and fast for the Blues, who begin a run of five games in 15 days against Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon.
However, Nathan Jones is reportedly still looking to strengthen his squad following the close of the transfer window earlier this month.
Relegation rivals hold talks with Michail Antonio
BBC Sport have revealed Charlton have held ‘initial talks’ with striker Michail Antonio over a potential free-transfer switch.
Although discussions are only at an exploratory stage at present, the report claims Pompey’s relegation rivals are keen on handing the 35-year-old a short-term deal.
It would mark a sensational return to domestic football for the former West Ham man, having been out of action for more than 14 months.
Antonio has not played a competitive match in England after being involved in a car accident in December 2024, which left him with multiple leg fractures.
Despite making three substitute appearances for Jamaica in June 2025 during the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the frontman was released by the Hammers at the end of last season and is yet to find a new home.
The Reggae Boyz international was tipped with moves to Brentford and Leicester City earlier in the campaign, although any deals failed to materialise.
Antonio spent 10 years at the London Stadium, following a £7m switch from Nottingham Forest in September 2015.
The former Southampton loanee went on to net 83 goals in 323 outings for West Ham, with his last coming from the bench against Leicester on December 3, 2024.
Ex-West Ham man’s playing ambition
Following his accident, the striker has always targeted a return to domestic action, with a move to Charlton ahead of Pompey’s trip to The Valley now firmly on the cards.
Speaking in March 2025, Antonio told BBC Sport: ‘Yes, 100%. I will play again.
‘That's what I am focused on and why I am working six days a week. I've always been positive from this situation. It's a horrendous accident, and it's a massive injury.
‘It's the biggest injury I've ever had in my career. But the fact that I'm already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I'll play again, and I know that once I'm playing the game I'll get the sharpness back.
‘I was one of the quickest at West Ham. So my body wasn't the body of a 34-year-old before I had the accident anyway. I can still be sharp and still do the business.
‘People have always doubted me. My mental strength is something that I've always believed in and this is just another setback, and it is not going to stop me.’