Stuart Pearce has said that if it came down to a straight swap, he would much prefer to have Callum Wilson at West Ham than Marko Arnautvoic.
Arnautovic has been agitating for a big-money move to China, while West Ham’s position is that they don’t want to sell for the reported £35million fee.
Talking on the Jim White Show (talkSPORT, Thurs, 10am), Pearce said West Ham would be right not to see their attacker at £35million, but that if they could “balance the books” they should let him go and sign Wilson from Bournemouth.
“If I could balance the books and bring in Callum Wilson I would do it if I was Pellegrini.
“£35million for Arnautovic, I don’t think it’s a good deal. But, if I could balance the books, maybe sell him for £50million and buy Wilson for £50million I would do it.
“He [Wilson] would be a very, very good replacement. He runs in behind, he’s an improving player… The only question mark is over his injury record.”
Asked by Jm White if would prefer Wilson to Arnautovic, he said, “Without a doubt”.
OPINION
We think every West Ham fan will be in agreement about this. If Arnautovic wants to go and fulfil his footballing destiny in China, then let him leave. Callum Wilson is younger, hungrier and could be a worth a lot more money in the future if he keeps scoring at the rate he has this season. The one issue as we see it isn’t about his injury record, although he has suffered. It’s that we’re not sure that West Ham would get him for £50million, with other Premier League sides potentially interested and Bournemouth not wanting to sell. If they could balance the books though and make a direct swap, it’s a no-brainer. We do think Arnautovic will leave this January, too much has been said for him to stay. What’s important is that West Ham get a fee that reflects his quality and the fact they didn’t want to sell him in the first place. If that means shaving a bit off his lucrative China contract, that’s what should happen.