Michail Antonio looks set to leave West Ham after a decade-long legendary spell becoming a free agent.
Admit it or not, though Saints fans support Maitland-Niles' ongoing transfer rumours, deep down they might want him not to leave. And rightly so, given the full-back, could acquire a legendary status if he leads Lyon's promotion back to Ligue 1.
After all, having been prioritised by Lyon after an unsung Arsenal spell, it could be Maitland-Niles' only choice to earn such a tag now. Well, and while the player decides on a choice, he has a role model in ex-Saint Michail Antonio to look up to if he ends up staying.
Michail Antonio close to leaving West Ham as a club icon
That's because, despite being on the verge of ending his Top Flight career, the former Saints loanee is leaving West Ham as a club legend. This comes after the Athletic report suggests the Hammers have decided to bid goodbye to Antonio after his decade-long stay at the London Stadium.
Honestly, no Saints fan would want to recall Michail Antonio's spell at the club, given it came in one of the club's direst situations in League One. Interestingly, still he is one of the rarest Saints to ever celebrate a trophy at St. Mary's given he lifted the Football League trophy in his only 2009/2010 season.
Yet, Antonio's West Ham career is what has been a truly memorable one. Having scored 83 times for the Hammers, the forward has been the club's Premier League top scorer. And what better than the player supporting his icon status by achieving European success with West Ham in the 2022/23 Conference League win?
Well, considering this, some may argue the Hammers' treatment of Michail Antonio hasn't been the best, for how they've kept the player's future uncertain till now. That's why, it's a farewell that will not only send West Ham fans in tears, but Southampton fans too.
For now, Antonio's next destination seems up in the air, but how about a potential St. Mary's return?
After all, having delivered a trophy in his inaugural season, maybe even if for a good luck charm, Southampton decides to sign the 35-year-old as a free agent. But it's just a speculation for now, let's see what happens.