Marko Arnautovic has issued a blunt response when asked about a potential return to the Premier League with Crystal Palace or West Ham United, during an interview with Willkommen Oesterreich.
Considering the so-called ‘bad boy’ of Austrian football has always been an outspoken character, he’s certainly chosen an interesting time to keep his mouth shut.
According to TuttoBolognaWeb, West Ham are interested in re-signing a player who left in acrimonious circumstances in 2019, turning his back on the club that stuck by him during periods of intense criticism to chase the cash all the way to China.
Crystal Palace have been linked too, via TMW.
Will Arnautovic return to West Ham?
But when asked specifically about a return to West Ham – or a switch to Selhurst Park – a player Jose Mourinho famously described as unmanageable during their time at Inter Milan was quick to bat away the speculation.
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“No comment,” Arnautovic said, before pointing out he has a year-and-a-half remaining on his £200,000-a-week contract at Shanghai Port.
“I’m one of the oldest (players) and also a leader now and, of course, I want to lead the team.”
Moyes would ‘jump at the chance’
If reports are to be believed, David Moyes would jump at the chance to be reunited with a man who produced arguably the finest performances of his nomadic club career under the Scot during the second half of 2017/18.
Whether West Ham fans would be so quick to forgive and forget is another matter entirely.
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