West Ham are closing in on the signature of Marko Arnautovic.
According to the London Evening Standard, Stoke City winger Marko Arnautovic will become a West Ham United player in the next 48 hours after a £23million deal was agreed.
The Hammers have brought in one new signing so far this summer in free agent defender Pablo Zabaleta, but with Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart also set to arrive, Slaven Bilic appears to be targeting Premier League experience.
Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic in action with West Ham United’s Jose Fonte
Whilst improving the backline with Hart and Zabaleta had to be a priority, fans have also wanted to see a new winger brought in, given question marks over Sofiane Feghouli and Robert Snodgrass’ futures at the club.
Last week, West Ham had two bids rejected for Stoke City winger Marko Arnautovic after he handed in a transfer request, but a deal now appears to be on the verge of completion.
The London Evening Standard report that West Ham have now agreed a £23million deal for Arnautovic, and with terms also agreed with the player himself, the move is expected to go through in the next 48 hours.
Arnautovic, 28, has been a key player for Stoke ever since his 2013 move from Werder Bremen, and he particularly impressed during the 2015/16 season, as he notched 11 goals in 34 Premier League games.
Stoke City’s Marko Arnautovic looks dejected
The Austrian international didn’t quite hit those heights last term with six goals and five assists, but he is now seemingly heading for the London Stadium to give Bilic a boost in the final third.
Arnautovic’s expected move will break West Ham’s transfer record, though it’s unclear just whether he’ll play up front or out wide once he joins up with the Hammers later this week.
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