West Ham’s giant attacker Marko Arnautovic could be set for a shock exit from the London Stadium this summer with as many as ten senior stars all touted for sale between now and the end of the window, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim on their website that the future of the Hammers colossus, who stands at 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt), is currently up in the air, along with nine others who manager Manuel Pellegrini is reportedly considering offloading.
The supposed list of potential exits is made up of Sam Byram, Jordan Hugill, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Pedro Obiang, Angelo Ogbonna, Michail Antonio, Edimilson Fernandes, Andy Carroll and Adrián, with many having played a key role in the first team over the past couple of years.
Arnautovic’s exit would be the biggest shock of them all, with the Austrian international having been crucial to the club’s survival thanks to his 11 goals and six assists in the Premier League last season.
Good move for West Ham?
Letting Arnautovic leave without a hefty price tag would be a massive mistake for Pellegrini, for the 29-year-old proved his worth as a centre forward in the latter half of last season.
He was a potent threat up top as opposed to out on the wing, and while the Hammers might be seeking reinforcements up front, he should still be in with a shout of leading the line.
As for the others, many seem expendable, especially the likes of Hugill and Byram, but selling off Obiang and Antonio, who are both regulars among the first team, could be an error heading into the new campaign.
Experience is invaluable, and while new arrivals might have the talent, they do not yet know what it means to play for the Irons in England’s top flight.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10
Likely to happen?
While some of those mentioned will be shipped out before the summer window shuts, getting rid of all ten is a mammoth task, and Pellegrini may be stuck with some players he had expected to shift out the exit door.
As for Arnautovic, it is uncertain as to what is going to happen, and if a big bid comes along, he could be off – but at the moment, he looks set to stay.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10