West Ham United have reportedly failed with a new bid for Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic.
According to Sky Sports, Stoke City have rejected a new £20million bid from West Ham United for attacker Marko Arnautovic, meaning two offers have now failed.
The Hammers have only added one new signing this summer in right back Pablo Zabaleta, but attacking reinforcements have to be at the top of Slaven Bilic’s list of priorities.
Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic in action with West Ham United’s Jose Fonte
Bilic’s main two strikers, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, both have significant injury histories, whilst question marks surround the futures of wing duo Robert Snodgrass and Sofiane Feghouli.
Earlier this week, West Ham failed with a £15million bid for Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic – and Sky Sports now report that a new £20million offer has also been snubbed.
Arnautovic, 28, has been a key player for Stoke ever since signing from Werder Bremen in 2013, and he notched six goals as well as five assists in the Premier League last season.
Now, Arnautovic has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to leave the bet365 Stadium, with West Ham hoping to lure him to the London Stadium this summer.
Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic
The rejection of a £20million bid means that West Ham will now have to eclipse their club record fee for Arnautovic, which currently stands at the £20.5million they paid for Andre Ayew last summer.
Best utilised on the left of midfield but also capable of playing up front if needed, Austrian international Arnautovic could be a versatile attacking option for West Ham, but it remains to be seen whether a third bid arrives.
Would you like to see West Ham sign Arnautovic?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
