Manuel Pellegrini could hand Marko Arnautovic his first start since January when West Ham take on Huddersfield at the London Stadium on Saturday, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claims that Arnautovic, 29, has been frozen out by the Hammers boss after the transfer saga that surrounded him in the January window, and even though he has since signed a new contract, the Austria international has been dropped to the bench.
It is understood that the former Stoke star is likely to try and leave the London Stadium in the summer, especially if he continues to be overlooked by Pellegrini. However it seems that the forward will be given a chance to impress this weekend.
OPINION
After what happened in January and what has happened since, it is best if West Ham and Arnautovic both part ways. The Irons should be able to pocket a decent sum for a player they reportedly valued at £45million in January, and the Austrian seems as though he does not want to be at the London Stadium anymore. It is a shame because Arnautovic has been a decent player for West Ham, but the club needs to cash in their chips now rather than waiting for his value to plummet. Pellegrini should be able to buy one or two good replacements if Arnautovic leaves. Celtic Vigo’s Maxi Gomez was someone who was linked in the January transfer window and his side seem as though they could be relegated from La Liga this season. That could make the Uruguay international a bit cheaper, so signing him, plus someone else, and getting rid of Arnautovic would be good business by the Hammers.