TalkSport insider Alex Crook has been discussing the idea of Marko Arnautovic making a return to West Ham United this summer.
Reports back in January 2020 suggested that despite having only moved to Chinese side Shanghai Port F.C. six months previously, the Austrian forward held a desire to make a return to the Premier League.
West Ham United are one of the clubs under consideration, despite the fact that his relationship with the club wasn’t exactly the greatest considering the manner in which he left in the first place.
Italian outlet Il Resto del Carlino (via TEAMtalk) had more recently suggested the Hammers were interested in a possible reunion.
And according to Crook, speaking on the TalkSport Gameday podcast, that remains the case heading into this summer’s transfer window, but he holds some doubts that every single party in east London will be keen to make the deal official:
“A few murmurings that Marko Arnautovic would fancy a return to the London Stadium. I think David Moyes would probably welcome that from what I’m told. I’m not convinced the fans and the owners would.”
TIF Thoughts on Alex Crook’s comments on Marko Arnautovic returning to West Ham United…
Do you want Arnautovic back?
No, he is a traitor
Yes, he would be a solid addition
It certainly is an intriguing position for the club to find themselves in.
On one hand, the Hammers do need to sign more players to play up front, with Michail Antonio the only natural centre-forward on their books, a situation made more glaring by their qualification for the Europa League where they’ll need more strength in depth. And even at 34, if he is just needed as backup for someone else, his recent numbers show that he could still do a job when required.
The question then becomes were the bridges totally burned by the way he left the club initially that would totally rule out him coming back in some capacity, and whether or not the powers that be are willing to overlook that in the hopes that he can end up being some benefit to the team.
This could be an interesting one to follow.
In other news: ‘I do believe’ – Ex reveals West Ham could snap up 25-year-old free agent