Marko Arnautovic could still leave West Ham this month for China despite claims on Sunday that the big-money move was off. Arnautovic was left out of the Hammers’ squad for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth as boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he was distracted by confirmed interest in him from Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.
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West Ham have rejected an initial £35million offer from Shanghai for the former Stoke forward but reports that a January exit is now unlikely on Sunday are premature as the 29-year-old has made it clear he wants to go and the Chinese outfit are expected to return with a new offer.
With just over a week to go before the transfer window closes, all parties will need to negotiate quickly to get the move back on track but West Ham are privately willing to accept a suitable offer and have no intention of standing in Arnautovic’s way as he pursues the lucrative switch.
It’s believed the Londoners want at least £45million for the Austria international, who has hit 19 goals in 53 appearances in all competitions for the club since his move in summer 2017.
