Everton and Bologna are in talks over the transfer of Marko Arnautovic. But Frank Lampard once hinted the Austria striker would not suit his system whilst still with West Ham United.
Arnautovic spent two seasons at the London Stadium from 2017 to 2019 between spells at Stoke City and Shanghai SIPG. The Irons broke their transfer record at the time to sign him from the Potters for £20m, rising up to £25m. Yet he did not see out the five-year contract.
The 33-year-old would eventually return to Europe with I Rossoblu in 2021 after the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara side agreed to a €3m (£2.5m), rising to €4m (£3.5m), fee with SIPG. He had moved to China for £22.5m after 22 goals and 12 assists over 65 outings in claret-and-blue.
Arnautovic has since so far offered Bologna 23 goals and two assists in 50 games across all competitions. The 106-cap forward’s haul includes eight goals and an assist over 14 Serie A outings this term. And his form may now lead to a return to the Premier League in January.
That is according to TuttoMercatoWEB, which reports intermediaries are holding talks with Bologna over Arnautovic’s potential transfer to Everton. The Toffees are considering a deal to sign the experienced attacker to hire extra firepower for their quest to avoid relegation.
Lampard’s past comments show Arnautovic’s transfer is likely wrong for Everton
Everton currently rank 19th in the Premier League table having only taken 15 of a possible 57 points this season. They have also won just three games – the least in the division – and have only scored 15 goals. Only Wolves in 16th place have scored fewer with 12 this term.
Lampard has further only seen Anthony Gordon (3), Demarai Gray (3) and Dwight McNeil (2) score multiple goals. Neal Maupay, who Everton paid Brighton & Hove Albion £15m for in August, has one goal. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also only hit once between his injuries.
Yet Arnautovic – despite his experience of Premier League football – may not be the ideal solution for Lampard if Everton secure his transfer from Bologna. The Toffees boss stated while the Austrian was at West Ham how he struggled in a team that only had one striker.
“Arnautovic is probably their best player, the player who can do things for them,” Lampard said on Match of the Day (23:03, 10/03/2018). “He is playing as an out-and-out striker on his own and it’s difficult for him. He needs a partner, he needs people around him.”
Lampard has only fielded two strikers in the same starting line-up sparingly throughout his year in charge of Everton. Through the 44-year-old’s 43 fixtures across all competitions so far, he has started a solo striker in 34 games. He has started two in three games this term.
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