West Ham have shown significant improvements under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini this season but there is a growing danger that the club could suffer a huge loss during the remaining weeks of the January transfer window.
The Hammers have seen star man Marko Arnautovic unsettled by interest from the Far East, with an unnamed Chinese club making a £35m offer for the Austrian international last week, and the 29-year-old is reportedly keen on securing a move.
Arnautovic started for the East London side in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over London rivals Arsenal but was substituted in the second period, which led to an interesting moment as it appeared the former Stoke City man waved goodbye to the home fans at the London Stadium.
Fans took to social media to react to the events and gave their assessment of the incident, with many praying that it was not what it looked like. We have gathered some of the comments below.
As for Arnautovic. Well I think that was a final farewell. The wave showed that. Get 40-50 mil for him and invest in a young quality forward with pace.
— Terry M ⚒⚒⚒ (@terrym66) January 12, 2019
https://twitter.com/DOWHU_1995/status/1084111723206975489
https://twitter.com/DarrenKelly93/status/1084247916930387972
https://twitter.com/DOWHU_1995/status/1084126081668517888
https://twitter.com/d_aldo1/status/1084094458646413314
Arnautovic leaving is nothing compared to Payet’s departure.
— 𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐒 (@tarrynboakes) January 13, 2019
Agree but also don’t want us giving him away for nothing. Given the sell on clause to stoke £60m is the least we should demand so that we get close to £50m.
— neilbadger (@neilbadger1) January 13, 2019
Tbf to Arnie u can understand the frustration as he is the best player and chicharito is earning a lot more than him however agree no player is better than the team
— Christian Stevens (@CWstevens2109) January 13, 2019
What I would of done is agree a few with the Chinese club for him to join in the summer. Then it will be easier for us to replace him then and prices won’t be as high as they are in January. Also the summer transfer period is longer.
— Luke Pacey (@lukepacey1) January 13, 2019
Previous article by Josh Challies
West Ham ready to meet £20m asking price of midfielder Pellegrini is keen on