West Ham make enquiry for Marko Arnautovic
West Ham have made an enquiry for the availability of ex-Irons forward Marko Arnautovic, according to Il Resto del Carlino.
The Italian newspaper reports in their print edition [May 6] that Crystal Palace and Everton are also showing an interest in the Shanghai Port striker, as have Serie A side Bologna. Italian website 1000 Cuori Rossoblu has also shared the original report.
The Irons are reportedly preparing to offer the Austrian €3.5million to €4million a year to return to the London Stadium, which equates to £57,000 to £66,000 a week.
That represents a substantial decrease on his reported current salary of £200,000 a week at Chinese club Shanghai Port [The Mirror].
Winning return?
There is a saying in football that players and coaches should never return, and we feel that is very true with this case.
West Ham are a club on the up at present and that is partly due to the strong squad harmony David Moyes has fostered at the club.
Signing Arnautovic threatens to undo that good work, as he famously threw a tantrum in order to get his move when he was last here.
He wasted his opportunity to play in Europe with us by choosing to go for the money instead.
We do not begrudge him earning a lot of money, but he showed a lack of commitment to the club by jumping ship, and at 32 we doubt he would make the same impact he did in his previous spell.
He is likely slower and perhaps even less fit since he has not been playing at a standard comparable to the Premier League.
The forward has 20 goals in 38 games in China too, so his best days are probably behind him.
Moyes should be looking to sign a young and hungry striker who can push Michail Antonio, we can leave Arnautovic for struggling sides like Palace.
In other West Ham news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted our upcoming clash against Everton.
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