Arnautovic Leaves West Ham For Shanghai SIPG In

By Max Wise

West Ham United have confirmed that Marko Arnautovic has left the club for Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG in a £23m deal.

The Austrian handed in his second transfer request in six months last week when he learned of Shanghai SIPG’s interest and has now completed his move to the Chinese club after passing a medical over the weekend.

“West Ham United can confirm that Marko Arnautovic has joined Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG for an undisclosed fee,” a club statement read.

“The 30-year-old Austrian departs after two seasons at London Stadium, during which he scored 22 goals in 65 appearances in Claret and Blue.”

Some of Arnautovic’s new teammates at Shanghai SIPG include former Chelsea midfielder Oscar and Brazilian forward Hulk.

Arnautovic handed in a transfer request during the winter transfer window after an unnamed Chinese club 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 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 scored 22 goals in 65 appearances for the Hammers, including 10 strikes in the Premier League last season.

Arnautovic is the third senior striker to leave West Ham United in the off-season 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 move to the London Stadium to offset their dwindling forward lines.