THE CHINA CRISIS
Arnautovic wants out, West Ham reject bid
MARKOARNAUTOVIC is prepared to risk the wrath of West Ham supporters after telling the club he wants to leave and challenge for titles in China.
West Ham’s star striker is adamant he is ready to play against Arsenal tomorrow — despite his brother and agent Danijel demanding he is allowed to leave after receiving a £36million bid and contract offer worth more than £250,000 a week.
West Ham have rejected the offer from an as yet unnamed Chinese Super League club and have told Arnautovic to honour his contract.
However, they expect another offer of around £40m and know the 29-year-old Austrian will push to go. Arnautovic, who has scored eight goals this season and is the club’s record signing, is a favourite with supporters.
But many were left shellshocked yesterday as his brother featured on British radio underlining his desire to quit.
‘West Ham bought Marko for peanuts. They paid £20m for him, which is nothing in the current market,’ said Danijel in a statement.
‘They bought him to keep them in the Premier League last season and he did that. He took every award at the club — best player, signing of the season and the players’ award. Now West Ham have a fantastic offer. It is close to double what they paid for him. He wants to go to a new market and challenge for titles. This is what he wants.
‘It is his great desire that West Ham accept the offer from China.’
In a plea for supporters to accept Arnautovic’s decision, he added: ‘He knows the West Ham fans love him and he has a special connection with them, but things move on, this is the world of sport and he hopes they can understand.
‘Marko is professional and is preparing himself for the Arsenal game. He will give 100 per cent for West Ham. That is Marko. He will never change. He hopes the fans can respect his wishes.’
Within minutes, a clearly irked West Ham responded by simply saying: ‘Marko has a contract and we fully expect him to honour it. He is not for sale.’
West Ham signed Arnautovic for a fee that rises to £25m from Stoke City in July 2017. He was made West Ham’s highest earner and signed a five-year contract.
The Arnautovic camp clearly have their sights set on an exit. While the promise has been made that the player will remain professional in his approach, his temperamental nature could yet prove divisive if he doesn’t get his wish.
Therefore the club have had to make contingency plans to replace Arnautovic if forced to sell.
They have earmarked Bournemouth’s England international striker Callum Wilson as a potential target.
Wilson, 26, has a better strike record than Arnautovic and Chelsea are also interested in him. He is valued at close to £50m.
Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere will step up his fight for full fitness next week. The 27-year-old midfielder signed for West Ham on a free transfer from Arsenal in the summer.