West Ham are reportedly considering an extension to Michail Antonio's contract following his serious car accident last weekend.
The Hammers confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the 34-year-old had suffered 'a lower limb fracture' following a crash in the Essex area involving Antonio's silver Ferrari, which saw the striker rushed to hospital.
The shocking news emerged on Saturday afternoon, as clubs and figures from across the football world rushed to pay their tributes and send well wishes to the Jamaican international.
The east London club later provided an update on the player's condition, informing the public that he was 'conscious and communicating and currently under close supervision' when images emerged of a silver Ferrari with significant damage to the front right wing.
Local police have appealed for dashcam footage and witnesses as officers investigate the serious collision in Epping on Coppice Row, which happened shortly after 12.50pm.
Following the crash, it emerged that the player, who has since undergone surgery, was trapped for more than 45 minutes as firefighters tried to free him from his car. Some reports claimed that Antonio's career was in jeopardy.
And according to The Times, West Ham are considering a heartwarming gesture to support Antonio and his family during his recovery.
The forward is not expected to play for the rest of this season due to the injuries he suffered and his contract expires in the summer.
However, the report claims that the Hammers may extend the 34-year-old's contract, with talks set to take place once he leaves the central London hospital where he is staying.
It is said that Antonio earns more than £90,000 a week, with the report adding that the club has no insurance to cover the situation and will therefore pay his wages for the remainder of the season.
The forward turns 35 in March and has scored 83 goals for the club since joining from Nottingham Forest in 2015, while he is also their record goalscorer in the Premier League.
If the Hammers were to extend Antonio's deal, it would do so after giving former defender Angelo Ogbonna an extra year when he suffered a serious knee injury in November 2021.
Meanwhile, West Ham paid tribute to Antonio ahead of their 2-1 win over Wolves on Monday by warming up in 'Antonio 9' shirts, while also walking out in tops with his name on them.
The report adds that the Hammers will auction signed tops and match shirts from the match, with the proceeds split between the NHS charity and Air Ambulances UK.
Goalscorers Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen also dedicated their goals to the Jamaican star.
After the match, Soucek said: 'The goal was for him. I dedicated it to him. I said before the match that I really wanted to score more today.
“He's been here since I got here. He really is my favorite. I said it would be difficult for me to play without him.
'I'm glad he's doing well, but this is for him. He is a huge player and he is in my heart. It was really tough for us. I was with the kids and saw this information on the phone.
'I sent everyone a message asking what happened and how he is doing. I was so scared of what would happen. It was a very tough week for him, his family and us.”
Soucek continued: “We had a video call with him before the game, the whole team. He smiled at us and gave us all the best. I can't wait to visit him. He's a really nice guy and funny too. He even made a few jokes before the game and wished us all the best.
'He is West Ham's all-time top scorer. He is probably one of the best players West Ham have had. He will be with us soon. These things can happen, but hopefully he will be even better soon.”
Elsewhere it was reported that a dog walker was first on the scene after the crash, and that Antonio's first words were: 'Where am I? What's going on? What car am I in?'
Samuel Woods was driving home after walking his dog in Epping Forest and saw the car on the side of the road.
Woods told The Sun: “I said 'hello' to him to see if anyone was still alive. I heard sirens and told him help was on the way.
'He was so disoriented. He said, “Where am I? What's going on? What car am I in?”
'The ambulance crew arrived very quickly. I couldn't believe what happened. The car smelled of gasoline.”
Woods stated that Antonio could not understand what he had heard, adding: 'I looked at him and thought, 'He's in big trouble.'
“I just said, 'You've had an accident.' He didn't answer. He looked around trying to understand what I just said. He was on the passenger side.”
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