‘He could go to another club in England’: Sky Sports pundit rules Celtic out of move for Leeds target

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has reportedly emerged as a target for Leeds United and Celtic ahead of a move in the next few weeks – but Sky Sports pundit Andy Walker has ruled out a move to the Scottish Champions.

Antonio, 33, has spent the last eight years at West Ham. Over the years, he has played 276 games for West Ham in that time – scoring 75 goals and laying on 43 assists. He has just helped West Ham win the Conference League title.

But now, the Jamaica star is in the final 12 months of his contract at West Ham. Football Transfers claim that Leeds and Celtic are going head to head to sign Antonio this summer – though there is interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.

Walker, an ex-Celtic striker and a commentator on Scottish football for Sky Sports, gave his verdict on the reports to Go Radio – as per Celtic Star. He said Celtic signing a player earning £69,000 a week is unlikely given his big wages.

“I think it is just out of Celtic’s reach. He could go to another club in England, at a wage that would be out of Celtic’s reach,” Walker said when asked if Antonio could swap West Ham for Celtic, and work under Brendan Rodgers.

Walker rules out Celtic move for Antonio with Leeds targeting striker

You would also imagine that £69k-a-week wages would prove too much for Leeds. But then, Antonio will know that unless he chooses to go to Saudi Arabia to play his football – he is probably going to have to take a pay cut.

That, or surely, he just stays at West Ham and leaves at the end of the season on a free transfer. But Walker is right – if Antonio wants similar wages, or anything like what he gets now, Celtic and Leeds will not be able to afford him.