No deal for Toon

WEST HAM have slammed the door on a January exit for Marko Arnautovic after he suggested he could quit the club.

Arnautovic, who was the subject of interest from Manchester United in the summer, told reporters in Austria this week he wants to play Champions League football.

The 29-year-old was tempted by a move to Old Trafford and feels he is at the right age to test himself against the best in Europe.

But West Ham insist they have no immediate concerns about the situation and are ready to resist all offers for Arnautovic in January.

Starsport understands United made a tentative enquiry for the striker in May but were told in no uncertain terms he was not for sale, and a bid never materialised.

Arnautovic, who is under contract until 2022, told Austrian newspaper Kurier this week: “I’m 29, so that’s the best age. MIKE ASHLEY is still struggling to find a creditable buyer for Newcastle – 12 months after putting the club up for sale.

A business website in the US claims that Ashley is in advanced talks over the sale of the club.

But sources close to the Toon owner insist he has not flown out to the United States to finalise a £350m deal with a mystery buyer.

There has been little fresh interest in Newcastle since talks with a consortium led by financier Amanda Staveley collapsed earlier this year.

After being an absentee landlord throughout last season, Ashley has been present at Newcastle’s last seven games, both home and away.

Newcastle have climbed off the bottom of the table and are up to 14th after back-to-back wins.

They travel to Burnley next on November 26.

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