Arnautovic Hands In Second Transfer Request In Six Months

By Max Wise

West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic has once again handed in a transfer request in a bid to force a move away from the club.

It is believed that an unnamed Chinese club have expressed interest in the Austrian international which has turned his head once more.

Arnautovic handed in a transfer request during the winter transfer window after an unnamed Chinese club, believed to be Shanghai SIPG, reportedly tabled a £35m offer for the former Inter Milan striker and he appeared to wave goodbye to the West Ham fans when he was substituted in their 1-0 win over Arsenal at the London Stadium in January.

Arnautovic’s brother, who also doubles as his agent, Danijel Arnautovic, revealed at the time that his client was interested in the deal which would have fetched him £200,000 a week, double of what he currently earns at the Hammers.

However, Arnautovic had a change of heart and signed a new four-year contract but six months on, he has expressed another desire to leave.

Arnautovic joined West Ham United from Stoke City for £20m in the summer of 2017 and was named as the club’s Player of the Season in his first campaign at the London stadium.

Arnautovic has scored 22 goals in 65 appearances for the Hammers, including 10 strikes in the Premier League last season.

The development will be unwelcome news for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, who are facing a striker exodus after Spanish forward Lucas Perez was sold to Deportivo Alaves after just a season at the London stadium while injury-plagued Andy Carroll has moved on following the expiration of his contract last month.

Celta Vigo’s Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomes has been linked with a £22m move to West Ham to offset their dwindling forward lines.