Michail Antonio’s move to Championship club cancelled in heartbreaking update

Michail Antonio’s proposed deal with Leicester City has fallen through after the striker picked up an injury in training.

The ex-West Ham star has been training with the Championship club for the past month and was in talks over a short-term contract.

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However, the ill-timed muscle injury has scuppered those plans with Antonio expected to be out of action for a number of weeks.

Following the Foxes’ 2-1 win over West Brom on Monday, boss Marti Cifuentes confirmed that the club will no longer be pursuing a deal for the 35-year-old.

Deal for Antonio collapses

“Michail Antonio, unfortunately he had a small setback during the training with us and that means unfortunately we won’t proceed in the process we started,” Cifuentes told reporters.

“It’s a pity because he’s a great guy, a great professional. He’s shown really good things, not only from a football perspective but from a personal perspective in the weeks he has been with us. But that changes the plan.”

Leicester are in dire need of attacking reinforcements with just Jordan Ayew and the misfiring Patson Daka to choose from as they bid to climb the Championship table.

Antonio, who has been lauded for his output in training by Cifiuentes, would have added some much-needed firepower despite his lack of football in the past year.

The striker has not played club football since being involved in a terrifying car accident in December 2024 resulting in him breaking his femur bone in four places.

But it is back to the drawing board for the Midlands club as they aim to bolster their squad for the second half of the season and Cifuentes is hopeful he will be able to bring in a fresh face or two.

“It’s something we’re analysing,” Cifuentes said on his plans to acquire another forward.

“Together with the club we have daily discussions about it. We’re going to try to do our best to improve the team if there’s an opportunity to do it.”

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Leicester’s last-gasp win on Monday night lifted them into the top half of the table following a mixed run of results over the festive period.

The win over West Brom proved to be Ryan Mason’s last act as manager of the Baggies following his sacking on Tuesday morning.

Abdul Fatawu’s superb winner in added time handed Cifuentes’ side a much-needed boost with disgruntlement growing in the stands.

Dissent in the stands

Sections of the Leicester support opted to boycott the clash in protest at the club’s King Power ownership.

Leicester, who boast one of the Championship’s most expensively-assembled squads, were expected to challenge for promotion this season.

However, a run of poor form and off-the-pitch issues have formed a dark cloud over the King Power Stadium.

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There is also the prospect of a heavy points deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) with Leicester facing three separate charges.

A hefty points deduction – which is entirely possible – could see the Foxes embroiled into an unlikely relegation battle, therefore a solid accumulation of points continued to be a key focus in the event of the worst possible outcome.

Leicester’s win over West Brom means they sit 12th in the Championship, just four points off the final play-off place.