EPL

West Ham opposes Arnautovic's request for China switch

West Ham is determined to resist Marko Arnautovic's mooted switch to China despite the 29-year-old's wish to take up an offer.

Matt Dorman
10 January, 2019 23:24 IST

Marko Arnautovic has scored seven times in 15 Premier League appearances this season.   -  Getty Images

Matt Dorman
10 January, 2019 23:24 IST

West Ham United insists Marko Arnautovic is not for sale despite the forward's apparent interest in pushing through a proposed £35 million move to the Chinese Super League.

The Hammers released a statement on Thursday confirming their intention to hold the Austria international to the five-year deal he signed in July 2017.

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Arnautovic's agent and brother, Danijel, had only hours earlier revealed to talkSPORT that his sibling's "great desire" was for the London club to accept the "fantastic" offer from an unnamed Chinese club.

West Ham, though, is determined to keep the influential 29-year-old and is adamant he will not be allowed to leave.

 

"Marko Arnautovic has a contract and we fully expect him to honour it. He is not for sale," the club's statement read.

Arnautovic has been a key performer under Manuel Pellegrini this season, scoring seven times in 15 Premier League appearances. He also notched the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Birmingham City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

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