West Ham United have reportedly knocked back Chelsea's attempts to take Michail Antonio on loan for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
The Blues have struggled in the final third of the field this season, and recent injuries to the likes of Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, Armando Broja and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have left them short in attack.
Joao Felix arrived on loan from Atletico Madrid last week, but the Portugal international was sent off on his debut against Fulham and will therefore not be available for selection again until February 11.
David Datro Fofana has also made the move to Stamford Bridge this month, while the club announced the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk at the interval of their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
However, Aubameyang could leave before the end of the month, and Chelsea continue to be heavily linked with Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram.
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According to The Guardian, Chelsea's issues in the final third of the field led to them approaching West Ham to discuss a possible loan switch for Antonio.
The report claims that the Hammers made it clear that the Jamaica international would not be leaving on a short-term basis, but he could move permanently before the end of the month amid interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 32-year-old was in impressive form for David Moyes's side during the 2021-22 season, scoring 13 goals and registering 11 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.
However, Antonio has struggled this term, only managing five goals and three assists in 25 appearances.
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The attacker has only netted twice in the Premier League this season, with his last goal coming against Fulham towards the start of October.
Antonio played the full 90 minutes of Saturday's clash with Wolves, but he could not help West Ham avoid another defeat, with the London club suffering a 1-0 loss at Molineux.
The former non-league forward moved to the Hammers from Nottingham Forest in 2015, and he has represented the capital outfit on 253 occasions, scoring 66 goals and registering 41 assists.
In addition to Mudryk, Fofana and Felix, Chelsea have signed Benoit Badiashile and Andrey Santos during the January transfer window.
Graham Potter's side will be looking to build on the one-goal victory over Palace when they travel to Liverpool in the Premier League next weekend.
Matt Law
