David Moyes Lauds Marko Arnautovic Amid £50m Manchester United Transfer Rumours

The West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic has been linked with a move to a top-tier club consistently since his revitalising switch to a centre-forward role with the Hammers and David Moyes has given his backing to the Austrian.

Rumours of a move away, including those suggesting a switch to Moyes’ former side Manchester United, have been stirred along by his brother Danijel, who acts as his agent and has spoken to the Austrian outlet Kurier about his short-term plans for Marko’s career.

“He’s already playing in the Premier League and that’s where the best players are. But for a player like Marko this cannot be the end,” he said.

“He’s a big part of West Ham’s team but I think it’s possible to tease out more of him. For that to happen, he has to play for a top team.”

Now Moyes, appearing alongside Alan Brazil on TalkSport this morning, has spoken about his agreement with that familial assessment.

“He can play for a top-four club, he’s good enough.

“He’s got the ability. He can play with the top players and considers himself a top player – you’ve got to remember he’s already been at the likes of Inter Milan before.

“But where do you get that level of striker or forward player now? They’re really hard to find."

Moyes brought the enigmatic Arnautovic to London from Stoke City following their relegation from the Premier League and feels he has the quality - as well as desire - to step back up into competing in the Champions League band.

“That was always the thing questioned about Marko – did he run, what was his attitude like – but we found him great to work with.

“There was a period last season where he was making more sprints in the Premier League than any other player.”

It could be at Old Trafford that he’s putting in those sprints come January, with reports over the weekend suggesting that the Red Devils were readying a £50m bid for the 29-year-old.