Michail Antonio’s Championship transfer edges closer as potential club terminates striker’s loan spell

Michail Antonio’s potential move to Leicester City appears to be one step closer following Julian Carranza’s January exit.

The 25-year-old joined on loan from Dutch giants Feyenoord on a season-long loan in September, yet struggled to make an impact for the Foxes.

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He departs the Midlands without a goal contribution in any of his nine Championship outings, and without an appearance since November 4.

A club statement on X read: “We can confirm that striker Julian Carranza has returned to parent club Feyenoord following the conclusion of his loan spell at King Power Stadium.”

Before adding: “He leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future.”

Taking the Mich

The Argentine’s exit paves the way for Antonio to complete his move to Leicester, who sit 13th in the table.

Antonio is currently a free agent following his release from West Ham – ending a ten-year association with the Hammers.

The 35-year-old hasn’t played competitively at club level since he broke his leg in four places having crashed his Ferrari in December 2024.

West Ham opted against extending Antonio’s stay in east London, though they allowed the striker to continue his rehabilitation at the club.

And Antonio has been training with Leicester in recent weeks having previously made it clear that he didn’t intend to retire despite his West Ham release.

Last month, Foxes boss Marti Cifuentes confirmed the club was in discussions over a permanent deal for Antonio.

“He’s a player who’s got big experience in the Premier League,” the Spaniard said.

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“He’s training with us at the moment and we’re having a look.

“He’s a good football player. He comes from a period without a team, but he’s been training only a couple of days with us and he’s been looking good. He’s a good lad to have around as well.”

On way out?

Carranza isn’t the only player who may leave Leicester this month, with the club looking to get a number of high-earners off their books.

talkSPORT understands that Harry Winks, Wout Faes and Boubakary Soumare all face uncertain futures with the Championship side.

The trio were all omitted from the matchday squad as the Foxes fell to a 3-1 loss at Sheffield United on Thursday.

Goals from Japhet Tanganga, Thomas Cannon and Callum O’Hare sealed the three points for the Blades, who conceded a late Jordan James consolation as Leicester fell to a third defeat from their last four.

Winks hasn’t played for Leicester since he was hauled off at the break in the 3-2 home loss to Sheffield United in November, while the defeat to the Blades may also prove to be Faes and Soumare’s final appearances in a Foxes shirt.

Winks’ exclusion from the Leicester squad was deemed a “technical decision” and last month when asked whether the 29-year-old had played his final game for the club, Cifuentes refused to draw on speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future at the club.

“I’ve already explained the situation. There is no news on that. I would like to focus more on the players who are doing so well this week,” Cifuentes said of Winks, who has six months to run on his deal with Leicester.

Faes, meanwhile, is now fourth-choice centre-back for Cifuentes’ side, while Soumare, whose contract also expires in the summer, has also lost his spot in the Leicester side.

The Foxes will hope to bounce back from their New Year’s Day loss at Bramall Lane when they play their first home game of 2026 when they host West Brom on Monday night.