West Ham in talks over Marko Arnautovic deal with Guangzhou Evergrande
Written by News on 18/01/2019
Guangzhou Evergrande have joined the race to sign West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic and have opened talks over a deal, Sky Sports News understands.
Arnautovic has already been the subject of a £35m bid from a Chinese club, understood to be Shanghai SIPG, and his brother Danijel – who also acts as his agent – says he is keen on a move to the Far East.
The 29-year-old has been left out of West Ham’s squad for the Premier League trip to Bournemouth as Manuel Pellegrini, according to Sky sources, feels he is not in the right frame of mind to play.
West Ham had previously stated that Arnautovic was not for sale but Sky Sports News has learned their stance on a transfer being completed has softened somewhat.
Arnautovic appeared to wave goodbye to West Ham fans when he was substituted during their 1-0 win over Arsenal last weekend.
Asked about Arnautovic’s future, Pellegrini said on Thursday: “If I say the player must stay, the player will stay.
“I don’t have any problem with the club. In all the months I’ve been working here I never had any problems with the owners about that.
“So they are not forcing me to sell Marko Arnautovic. But I think as a manager the best thing is to take the solution that is best for the player and the club, both together.
“If they agree, we don’t have any problem to change.
“I am not telling the club about it. If it’s a good deal for both parties we will arrange to be without Marko. But the club doesn’t want to sell him.”
(c) Sky News 2019: West Ham in talks over Marko Arnautovic deal with Guangzhou Evergrande
