Report: West Ham think new £22m bid will land Arnautovic from Stoke

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham to return with third bid for Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic of around £22m.

West Ham United are confident of signing Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City and think a third bid of around £22m will be enough to complete the deal, reports the Independent.

Sky Sports reports that the Hammers have already had two bids for Arnautovic rejected by the Potteries of £15m and then £20m.

Stoke City’s Wilfried Bony celebrates scoring their third goal with Marko Arnautovic

Now the East London club are set to return with a third offer, with the Austria international keen to leave the bet365 Stadium after handing in a transfer request.

Stoke do not want to lose Arnautovic, but the 28-year-old has already made his mind up about departing Staffordshire and is interested in working under Slaven Bilic at the London Stadium.

The attacker has been with the Potteries since a 2013 move from Werder Bremen, making 145 appearances in all competitions and scoring 26 goals.

It is thought manager Mark Hughes will use the money from Arnautovic’s sale to strengthen his defence, with Bruno Martins Indi and Kurt Zouma the most likely candidates currently.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes