Many West Ham supporters have been reacting on social media after The Sun claimed new Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte wants Marko Arnautovic to lead his line at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri have been chasing new strikers for some time, and were the reason why former Manchester City target man Edin Dzeko rejected the chance of a return to the Premier League with us.
Former Chelsea manager Conte is also keen to add Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku to his options if he is able to agree a fee with the Red Devils, but The Sun have suggested Arnautovic could be the perfect foil for the Belgian.
Given our interest in Celta Vigo’s Maxi Gomez and more-recently West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon, they even claim we could be ready to part ways with our Austrian talisman, having rejected the advances of sides in the Chinese Super League back in January.
Unlike the fees being offered from China, though, Inter’s efforts to take the former Stoke City winger away from East London would be to the sound of £30million, after the events of the winter left Arnautovic at a loose end with a lack of form and injuries leading to an 11 Premier League game goal drought.
Inter – who narrowly qualified for next season’s Champions League on the final day of the Serie A season – had looked into the possibilities of re-signing Arnautovic last summer, as well. But their meetings with his brother (and agent) did not lead to an official approach, for a player they had on loan for the 2009/10 campaign.
Arnautovic did sign a new three-year, £130,000-a-week contract in January, though, and ended the league campaign as our top ‘scorer with ten successful strikes to Felipe Anderson’s nine, while the pair both assisted four goals.
However, his relationship with the fanbase is still tarnished from what happened in January, and that is evident in how these West Ham fans reacted to The Sun’s claim…
Take the money and run. Only a matter of time before he throws he’s toys out the pram again.
— Richii (@AlternativityOO) June 4, 2019
I think if any club bid that money Arnautovic would want out anyway. Our issue is replacing him but this wouldn’t shock me in the slightest.
— VINNYWHUFC (@vinnywhufc) June 4, 2019
Pack his bags and drive him to the airport.
— Lena Starr ???????? Princess of Spades (@LenaStarrXXX) June 4, 2019
We going to have anyone left come the start of the season . Maybe we need to look at some more goalkeepers just in case
— ⚒ ian ⚒ (@IANL80s) June 4, 2019
Take the money and run for sure. We can replace Arnie with someone little younger and better attitude. ????
— SmokeyJones (@Gingerbr3d) June 4, 2019
Don’t see the point in letting him go, we’ve already missed out on our top striker target in Gomez, just missed out on our top midfielder target in Gomes, be silly to then offload arguably the best player ability wise at the club, another job we don’t need is replacing him
— ˗ˏˋ JΔMES ˊˎ˗ (@JameswhufcJones) June 4, 2019
There are sooo many good strikers out there lad who we can get for that money. Love Arnie but he aint Getting younger and is very injury probe
— Jurac (@54fc875286444f7) June 4, 2019
Make it 50mil and take the dough. When that blokes head goes in January again that’ll be the end of his season
— jamie mansfield (@jamie100580) June 4, 2019
I agree sell. He kicked up at stoke, did the same at West Ham and will do so again. Good player but it’s part of his dna.
— Chris Cheeseman (@ChrisCheeseman2) June 4, 2019
I’d take the money personally, but of course will he be replaced with a player of equivalent or higher quality? If the answer is yes then book him a flight and get him out asap.
— William Field (@wilfield71) June 4, 2019
That would give West Ham at least £80M – £90M but it’s all very well getting rid of dead wood but got to bring in quality replacements that would be in the first team and fighting for places!!
— Dilton (@diltondiltond1) June 4, 2019