'I wasn’t allowed to join Southampton after my loan spell. I could have been part of their rise to the Premier League' Michail Antonio on career-changing transfer that never happened

Michail Antonio has revealed the regret of a transfer that never materialized, reflecting on his loan spell at Southampton and the opportunity he missed to become part of their remarkable journey from League Two to the Premier League. The West Ham United forward spent the 2016-17 season at St Mary's, where he made 32 appearances and contributed to the club's push up the divisions. Despite his contributions during that campaign, Southampton opted against making the move permanent, a decision Antonio believes cost him a chance to be part of their historic promotion push that saw them climb through the EFL rankings over the following seasons.

Southampton's rise from the third tier represents one of English football's most impressive recent achievements, with the club eventually securing promotion to the Championship and establishing themselves as a competitive Premier League side. During the period following Antonio's loan spell, the Saints underwent significant squad development and investment, ultimately reaching the top flight where they competed consistently for several seasons. Antonio's loan year coincided with Southampton's foundational rebuilding phase, and had the club retained him, his physical presence and work rate could have proven valuable during their subsequent campaigns, particularly given his later development into a consistent Premier League performer with West Ham.

Antonio has since carved out a successful career at West Ham, becoming a key figure in the Hammers' midfield and attacking contributions since his 2021 move from Nottingham Forest. The 34-year-old has made over 150 appearances for the London club, scoring crucial goals in European competitions and domestic fixtures. His retrospective comments highlight how pivotal transfer decisions can reshape career trajectories, with Southampton's choice to move in a different direction ultimately leading Antonio elsewhere, while the Saints themselves experienced significant ups and downs in the subsequent years before establishing greater stability in recent seasons.