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£50million could ensure West Ham avoid Arnautovic exit

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Image for £50million could ensure West Ham avoid Arnautovic exit

OPINION

West Ham were one of the busiest sides in England over the summer transfer window as they looked to give new manager Manuel Pellegrini the tools to make a serious push up the Premier League table – but their season has been a little hit-and-miss so far.

Sitting 13th in the standings with three wins, three draws and six defeats under their belt, the Hammers board will no doubt have one eye on the winter market to try and freshen things up – not least due to the amount of injuries which have been suffered over the last couple of months.

As if that was not enough of a problem, 29-year-old talisman Marko Arnautovic has had plenty of speculation circling about his future in east London, a situation which will have the Hammers sweating about whether he is going to stay or go.

Speaking about the Austrian hitman, former West Ham forward and Sky Sports pundit Dion Dublin admitted he was worried he would leave the London Stadium but claimed that heavy investment over January could be enough to give Pellegrini a top quality side, and in turn keep Arnautovic content with the progress being made.

He told Sky Sports’ The Debate (19/11, 22:30): “If he was to stay at West Ham, and they were able to spend another 50, maybe £100million on two or three players, they’d have a good side.

“That’s what they’ve got to think – how can we keep him, what can we do to keep him? If he’s the player that he’s sounded like (refusing to comment on his future), then if you can get two or three players in West Ham will have some side.”

Dublin has hit the nail on the head with his analysis of what the Hammers have to do to show their ambition to Arnautovic, and while selling him would give them cash to invest in more stars, are they going to get the same sort of quality?

Not a chance.

If the West Ham board want to live up to expectations set over the summer, they have no choice but to heed Dublin’s warning and splash the cash on new arrivals which demonstrate they are wanting to head in the right direction.

Doing so would give them a huge chance of keeping Arnautovic on board – despite the circling suitors from elsewhere – and him leading the line of a quality line up would be a formidable sight for the opposition.

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