West Ham United fans are slowly coming to terms with the fact that Marko Arnautovic could be on his way out of the London Stadium after a £35m bid was made from the Austrian striker from an unnamed club in China.
The rumours started circulating yesterday that the attacking star dubbed 'Arnie' could be open to a move away from the Hammers, and his agent and brother Danijel Arnautovic has since added fuel fire to the fire by sending a statement into TalkSPORT.
The statement said: "West Ham bought Marko for peanuts. They paid £20 million for him, which is nothing in the current market. They bought him to keep them in the Premier League last season and he did that. He took every award at the club: best player, signing of the season and the player’s award.
“Now West Ham have a fantastic offer. It is close to double what they paid for him. He wants to go to a new market and challenge for titles. This is what he wants. It is his great desire that West Ham accept the offer from China," added Danijel Arnautovic.
West Ham United instantly released a statement stating that Arnautovic is not up for sale, but some Hammers fans are not happy with Arnautovic's willingness to leave the club he joined for in 2017 for £20m from Stoke City, and some fans are happy to let the Austrian leave providing they can get a decent fee for him.
While some Hammers seem adamant that Arnautovic won't leave during the January transfer window, a plethora of fans have fired into the Austrian amidst the transfers rumours, and here's a flavour of what some of the fans have said about these recent goings-on and many have likened this situation to that of the Dimitri Payet saga.
Arnie wants out, I say it again and again no player is bigger then West Ham United he wants out then sell I want players who want to be hammer not for money [djleon1983]
Why is it every transfer window his brother starts yapping If arnie wants to leave thats fair enough but if he dont there is some serious issue going on between them But 35 million is not enough i hope arnie does not force us into another awkward situation [dan_whufc_twit]
Such a trouble maker, he keeps causing controversy and uncertainty for the fans. Hoping like the other times Arnie will set the record straight by confirming he hasn’t been pushing to leave West Ham....just yet anyway. Although after Payet you never know what’s round the corner. [emz_dj]
If Arnie wants to leave then get as much as we can for him and get him out of the club. Don't need him and his brother being a pain in the arse for the next few months. It's too disruptive and not worth it. Will be difficult to replace but i trust Pellegrini to do it. [tomster36]
This whole thing about Arnautovic is annoying! It’s like Payet all over again but difference is that Arnie has not said he wants to leave. It’s all good the club saying that he ain’t for sale and has a contract but it’s better to hear it from the main man himself. [VishNarayan5]
Absolute madness from Arnautovic's agent...
#WHUFC
