West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic is reportedly interested in joining an unnamed Chinese club this month.
Paul Merson has hilariously claimed that Marko Arnautovic’s brother doesn’t know the names of the trophies in China following comments about the West Ham forwards potential departure.
As reported by The Guardian, Arnautovic wants his current club to accept a £35 million bid from an unnamed Chinese club, with his brother and agent claiming that he wants to ‘challenge for titles’.
The speculation surrounding Arnautovic baffled former Arsenal midfielder Merson who issued a funny response in regards to the player’s agent and brother.
“If his agent had come out and said that’s a lorry load of money, we cannot turn that down then I think people will understand that,” Merson told Soccer Saturday on 12/01/2019 at 12:10 pm.
“Don’t say trophies. I mean if you said to his brother, ‘what are the trophies over there?’ ‘What are the cups called?’ He wouldn’t know.”
“Chinese cup,” presenter Jeff Stelling responded.
“It’s got a name, it must a have sponsor surely, you cannot be giving 250k-a-week and not have a sponsor,” laughed Merson.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side secured a deserved 1-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday, with Arnautovic starting the clash at the London Stadium.
The Austria international was substituted midway through the second half and he waved to his home supporters as he left the field of play.
Over the course of the season, Arnautovic has played 18 games in all competitions for the London club, scoring eight goals and supplying two assists.
Seven of his goals have come in the Premier League as West Ham sit in the top 10 and are still in the FA Cup – they face AFC Wimbledon in the fourth round.
There have been a number of big-name players that have plied their trade in China in recent years from former Manchester United forward Carlos Teves to former Chelsea midfielder Oscar.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
