Alan Smith has hailed West Ham United for managing to keep hold of their striker Marko Arnautovic in this transfer window, despite the player been linked numerous times to a move to China.
The 29-year-old signed a new deal with the club last weekend following the 4-2 loss to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup, and Smith has been impressed with the way the Hammers have handled their “high maintenance” attacker.
The Sky Sports pundit is now hoping that the club’s star asset can now get his head down and deliver the goods for the Irons now that he is staying.
“They have kept Arnautovic and as long as he now knuckles down, that is good news, while they also spent a lot of money last summer and the funds are not a bottomless pit,” he told Sky Sports.
“But the fact they kept hold of Arnautovic, who may be a bit high maintenance means they get a ‘B’.”
OPINION
While West Ham may not have had the best months in terms of incomings – the only notable signing coming in the shape of Samir Nasri – Smith is right to hail their handling of the Arnautovic situation. It really looked like he was going to depart for China in this window, but the Hammers stood firm and rejcected any bids that came their way. The fact that he also signed a new deal shows how much they wanted to keep him on their books, but it remains to be seen whether he will leave in the summer or not. There is no reason why these clubs from China will not make more offers for his services, and this time around, the Austrian may be even more tempted by such a lucrative move. However, like Smith has pointed out, he now needs to get his head down and start performing – as there is no doubt that he needs to repay West Ham after them being so patient with him.