West Ham want to make an ambitious swoop to sign Bournemouth forward Callum Wilson if they lose Marko Arnautovic this month, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claims that an unspecified Chinese Super League club has made an offer to sign Arnautovic, and there could be wages on offer worth in excess of £200,000-a-week if he decides to quit the London Stadium.
It is understood that the Hammers would want Wilson, 26, to replace the Austrian forward, however they would have to offer over £35million to land the Cherries striker, who is also wanted by Chelsea.
Good move for West Ham?
Absolutely.
Wilson has been a hit on the south coast this season, scoring 10 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side.
He earned his first international appearance for England in November when he scored in a friendly win against the USA.
If Arnautovic goes then there is no one better for Manuel Pellegrini to replace him with than with the £60,000-a-week (Spotrac) Cherries striker.
It would more than likely cost a lot of money to sign an in-form England striker, but most of that money should be available to spend if this ‘unnamed’ club from China signs up Arnautovic.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
Something doesn’t seem right about Arnautovic’s link to China.
The club that has supposedly made an offer for him is yet to be named and it should always be treated with caution whenever a club from China is linked because most of the time, nothing happens.
Could it all be a ploy for him to earn a new contract? Or is it to try and force clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea to try and sign him?
This is Futbol rating 2/10