Paul Merson has urged Chelsea to bin a move for Callum Wilson – and try and sign Marko Arnautovic instead.
Writing in his weekly Daily Star column, the high-profile pundit claims the West Ham powerhouse would be a better signing by Maurizio Sarri, who has admitted this week he is in the market for a new front man.
Chelsea have gone public with their interest in Bournemouth hitman Wilson, but Merson says they must set their sights even higher.
“As much as Wilson would help, I don’t think he’s the answer,” Merson told the Star. “He’s a good stop-gap but he’s not going to guarantee you top four.
“West Ham’s star man Arnautovic might, though. He is a proven goalscorer and he gives you something different.
“He can make things happen and do something special. His agent has been making noises about him leaving as well and Chelsea could probably get him for £40m because of his age.”
OPINION
Arnautovic is indeed a level above Wilson, a fine player but not one as capable of destroying Premier League defences. That is what the big Austrian has been consistently doing at West Ham during what has been the best year of his career. The forward was slow to get going after signing for the Hammers for a then club-record £24million but he has thrived since being thrust into the central spearhead role by ex-boss David Moyes. Arnautovic has scored seven league goals from 15 appearances this season, a decent record if not a jawdropping one. But the powerful forward should not just be judged on goals. There is far more to his game than that. He can hold the ball up, combine the play, run down the channels and beat defenders with pace and skill. He is an all-round titan who would walk into most teams in the Premier League. If Chelsea aren’t interested in him, they really should be.