OPINION
New transfer window, new issues for Marko Arnautovic and West Ham.
This time it’s been reported by Sky Sports that the Austrian has handed in a transfer request with an unnamed Chinese club interested.
There are slightly differing accounts of this, with Football.London journalist Sam Inkersole claiming that while he’s “playing up” he’s not officially handed in a formal request.
Marko Arnautovic and this transfer request: not confirmed that he has handed one in but have been told he's "playing up again" so take that however you want. #WHUFC
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) July 2, 2019
However, his brother and agent is seemingly touting the 30-year-old round again.
Just been told that Marko Arnautovic has NOT handed in a formal transfer request. Seemingly his brother and agent Danijel has been sounding off again and touting the frontman around. #WHUFC
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) July 2, 2019
Whichever way you look at it from West Ham’s perspective, it’s not good.
Arnautovic was linked with a move to China in January, with West Ham said to have rejected a £35million bid for the striker.
Instead, Arnautovic stayed and signed a new contract with the club in January worth a reported £120k-a-week, making him the club’s second-highest earner.
That was a four-year deal but Arnie seemingly wants out again, just six months on.
This time, West Ham should take the money. It’s obviously what Arnautovic wants, with a move to China at the age of 30 when he’s still good enough for the Premier League.
You can only put up with so much from players. Inkersole claims that West Ham have rejected a £19.7million bid from a Chinese club but they should look to maximise their money as quickly as they can.
That’s the view of the West Ham fans and you can see from their replies to the tweets from Inkersole what they think of their forward – it’s not complimentary.
There’s still plenty of time to bring in a new striker. And if they were offered £35million in January for Arnautovic then they should be able to demand the same now or near as dammit. And that could bring in a striker who actually wants to play for the club, like Maxi Gomez.
Arnautovic has already been shown too much loyalty by the club and West Ham don’t need a player who agitates for a move at the first sign of more money.
They need to get him out of the door as quickly as possible.