David Moyes has been praised for his conversion of Marko Arnautovic into a striker at West Ham but that is exactly why Chelsea are now interested.
Marko Arnautovic of West Ham United during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round Replay against Shrewsbury Town.
Marko Arnautovic has emerged as the latest left-field transfer target for Chelsea, with ESPN reporting the reigning Premier League champions’ interest in the attacker.
Blues manager Antonio Conte wants to sign a target-man to provide competition for club record signing Alvaro Morata, who has struggled for form in recent times.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte looks on during the Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Conte is still yet to be convinced by Michy Batshuayi, despite the Belgian starting the side’s 4-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend, and could still loan the 23-year-old out this month.
The West Londoners have already shown interest in Arnautovic’s Hammers teammate Andy Carroll, along with Stoke City’s Peter Crouch, Christian Benteke of Crystal Palace and Roma striker Edin Dzeko.
Their interest in the Austria international as a number nine probably wouldn’t have existed had West Ham boss David Moyes not converted the winger since taking charge at the club back in November either.
David Moyes, manager of West Ham United, during the Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.
Moyes’ use of Arnautovic through the middle rather than in his usual role out wide has been one of the things the Scot has been praised the most for, with the 28-year-old scoring six league goals in his last eight matches.
Yet that success appears to have backfired on the 54-year-old with it being the very reason Conte is now interested, although recent reports from football.london that the forward is set to miss at least three weeks of action with a hamstring injury may deter the Italian.
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