MICHAIL ANTONIO landed an incredible £250,000 bonus for scoring West Ham’s penalty against Manchester United.
The Hammers forward hit the jackpot after reaching 10 Premier League goals for the first time in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford but this was only after normal spot-kick taker Mark Noble stood down.
Antonio, 30, renegotiated his last contract in 2017 meaning he would earn £250,000 for getting into double figures but has never previously managed this in the top-flight.
A £7million bargain from Nottingham Forest five years ago, he has one year left on his current deal but West Ham are offering him a new four-year contract.
But it is the size of his goal bonus which is staggering even by Premier League standards. Afterwards, Antonio spoke about reaching his goal target.
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He said: “Me and Nobes talked and he asked me what my target was for the season. I said it’s ten goals and it’s been my target for the last five years I’ve been here.
“I’ve never been able to reach it – I’d got to nine but not ten – so he said if we get a penalty in the next two games he’d give it to me because I’d scored so many important goals for us this month and he believed I would score.
“I honestly didn’t think we’d get a penalty, and when we got it, I didn’t think he’d still give it to me! But as soon as they made the decision on VAR he said, ‘Are you ready?’ And I said, ‘Yes I am’.
“I knew where I was going to put it. Because he spoke to me in the week I had a couple of practice penalties, so because I knew where I was going to put it I was confident, and just slotted it home.
“Nobes will be back on them from Sunday, this was literally so I could hit my target of ten goals for the season and hopefully I can score another in open play!”
West Ham face Aston Villa on Sunday.
