The West Ham United hitman is reportedly attracting attention from Italy.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic is a transfer target for Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Roma this summer.
The Austrian joined the Hammers from Stoke City in the summer of 2017, for a fee believed to be worth £25 million according to BBC Sport, and he has gone on to score 22 goals in 65 appearances in all competitions for the east London outfit.
The 30-year-old was a fan favourite at West Ham, until he angled for a move away from the club in January.
Arnautovic then penned a new deal with the Hammers – one that runs until 2023, but the club’s fans have not forgotten about the manner in which he behaved, when big money offers from China came in for his services in January.
So should West Ham sell Arnie this summer?
The simple answer to that question is yes.
Whilst the Hammers would surely not be able to get the £35 million that was offered for the forward in January (The Guardian), they should still be able to get what they paid for him, and given the fact that he is 30 now, and quite obviously a disruptive figure when things aren’t going his way, now seems to be the perfect time to move him on.
West Ham need money to fund a move for Maxi Gomez, and the young Uruguayan would be a real upgrade on the ageing Arnautovic.
The Austria international is the Hammers’ third highest earner on £100,000 per week according to Spotrac, so getting his salary off the wage-bill would enable Manuel Pellegrini to bring in some real elite talent.
Arnautovic has produced memorable moments for West Ham, but should they receive a decent offer for his services this summer, Pellegrini should move the 30-year-old on. Too many bridges have already been burned.
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