Manchester United are allegedly acting on interest in Marko Arnautovic, and West Ham United have named their price.
Jose Mourinho is said to be keen on a reunion with Marko Arnautovic at Manchester United next term – having managed him at Inter Milan in 2009 – but West Ham United are demanding an excessive fee of £50 million to deter the Red Devils, according to reports from Sky Sports.
New Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini is not keen on the idea of selling a key member of his side so early in his tenure but, if United were to return with £50 million tabled for the 29-year-old, would the club be foolish to refuse?
Arnautovic initially joined West Ham from Stoke City for a club-record fee of £25 million last summer, meaning the Hammers would make a serious profit and double their money on the forward if they were to sell at the reported price.
There is no doubting Arnautovic’s huge impact on the side last season, which makes the decision a tricky one. After all, he acted as a linchpin to get his side up the pitch almost single-handedly and finished the campaign as David Moyes’ highest goal-scorer on 11 goals, while also bagging six assists.
Manuel Pellegrini has outlined his desire to play attacking, progressive football next year and £50 million would go a long way towards making some vital additions to the side, although West Ham’s owners are ready to back the manager with “record funds” regardless according to BBC Sport.
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