West Ham have improved significantly under the guidance of Manuel Pellegrini this season but there is the risk of a huge departure during the January transfer window.
The Hammers face a battle to retain the services of 29-year-old Marko Arnautovic, who has had his head turned by interest from China, and appeared to wave goodbye to West Ham fans at the London Stadium during the club’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal on Saturday.
Losing the Austrian international would be a bitter blow to the Hammers, bringing back memories of Dimitri Payet’s return to Marseille in 2017, and would leave a huge void within the squad for Pellegrini to fill.
West Ham would have funds to reinvest if a deal was to go ahead and fans on social media have been discussing potential replacements, with the names of Callum Wilson, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Olivier Giroud, Luka Jovic and Wissam Ben Yedder thrown around.
We have gathered some of the reactions from social media below.
For once I’m in favour of a loan deal, save the money until the summer window.
— Po-tay-toes (@BennyPowers75) January 13, 2019
Jovic is a no brainer for me. Clinical, quick, strong, skilful and young.
— Dan Loughlin (@danlough90) January 13, 2019
Forget Mitrovic and Giroud….COYI
— Kurt Olsen (@KurtOlsen10) January 13, 2019
All of them fill me with zero confidence. Apart from Jovic.
— Ali Jones (@Alibones2) January 13, 2019
Ben yedder would be dreamy stuff
— m (@addzy100) January 13, 2019
First two are too expensive, Giroud ain’t good enough, Jovic is on loan at Frankfurt. Marega would probably be a good shout.
— Trym Riise (@trymriise) January 13, 2019
Jovic is the only one that fits the profile I’d like us to go for. Wilson injury lribe, Mitrovic/Giroud not mobile enough. I agree with Bilic that Ben Yedder doesn’t have a physique suited to the prem.
— Dan (@danielnye333) January 13, 2019
If we take a penny less than £50mil we are insane. Prices being quoted for strikers that aren’t necessarily as good as him are mad- Callum Wilson and Mitrovic at £40-£50mil. Remember, 20% of few to Stoke. We should aim for £60-£65mil+!!
— Jack Allum (@westham009) January 13, 2019
Previous article by Josh Challies
‘Sick to death of these money grabbers’: These West Ham fans react to major transfer update