Marko Arnautovic may be ready to move on from West Ham.
That’s according to an interview with the in-form striker and his agent/brother in an Austrian newspaper.
The comments will come as a huge blow to Manuel Pellegrini and Hammers fans, who have seen Arnautovic excel in his new role as a central striker.
The Austrian is in the form of his career, having bagged 11 goals last season and 5 already this campaign. In an inconsistent Irons side, Arnautovic is one of the stand-out stars.
Arnautovic’s comments in the Kurier interview reveal a player considering his future: “I’m 29, so in the best age. It’s clear that I want to compete with the very best. But in such matters, I trust my brother.”
Marko’s older brother and agent Danijel seems to think now might be the time to make a big switch: “Marko feels extremely comfortable at West Ham. You can see that every week. But there is also the feeling that this cannot be the end. And he’s ready for the next step.”
What could that next step be? Realistically, the only move Arnautovic would (and should) consider at this stage of his career would be to a club competing in, or challenging to qualify for, the Champions League.
There was talk of interest from Man United in the summer, and with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez struggling for form, there could still be a place at Old Trafford for the Austrian.
That interest appears to be what Danijel Arnautovic was talking about when asked in the Kurier interview whether Marko could move in January: “That’s possible. It was already very, very close this last summer.”
If Arnautovic did decide to leave East London in January, he would likely not be short of suitors. As well as Man United, Chelsea and Spurs could both be in the market for a striker in the transfer window. Whether West Ham would sell to a London rival is a different matter.
Either way, it seems that Arnautovic (and his brother) know that time is ticking for the 29-year-old and this coming transfer window may well be his last opportunity to secure one final big move. Only time will tell whether they are successful.
