The West Ham United forward has been linked with a move away from the club.
Paul Merson suggested that Marko Arnautovic will kick up a stink in January if West Ham are dragged into the relegation mix, when speaking exclusively to Sky Sports.
The Hammers have made a miserable start to their Premier League campaign, and currently sit in 14th position in the table, having taken just 12 points from their opening 13 league outings, and they are just four points clear of the drop zone.
Arnautovic has been a rare shining light for West Ham this season, but his future in east London is unclear, after his agent and brother told reporters that his client could be looking to leave the London Stadium, as quoted by the Daily Mail:
“He’s already playing in the Premier League and that’s where the best players are. But for a player like Marko this cannot be the end. He’s a big part of West Ham’s team but I think it’s possible to tease out more of him. For that to happen, he has to play for a top team. Marko is ready for the next step.”
Hammers fans will be desperate for the Austrian to stay at the club, and their hopes of keeping hold of him will depend heavily on where they sit in the league come January.
That is Paul Merson’s view on the situation anyway.
The former Arsenal man told Sky Sports how the 29-year-old could kick up a stink in January, if West Ham are embroiled in a relegation battle:
“I’ve been surprised where West Ham are, but they’re back in the relegation mix and if they lose at Newcastle it could be back to being a long season again. You could see Marko Arnautovic kicking up a stink in January if that happens, and they’re in trouble if that happens. He is the club at the moment, their shining light.”
West Ham are clearly a club that has great ambition, and their ability to keep hold of Arnautovic could very well set the tone for them for the next few transfer windows.
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