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West Ham transfer news: Marko Arnautovic prediction revealed by Sky Sports pundit
WEST HAM will not see Marko Arnautovic leave the club in January - but they could cope without him.
Marko Arnautovic: 'Now is the time to move' says Durham
That is according to former Hammers striker and Sky Sports pundit Carlton Cole, who has hinted he has spoken to the forward about his future.
Arnautovic joined West Ham from Stoke before the start of last season for £25million - a club record fee at the time.
After a patchy start to life in east London, the Austrian’s shackles were released under David Moyes, who played him as a striker.
From then on, Arnautovic became the team’s talisman, bagging a club-high 11 league goals as Hammers steered clear of safety, securing a 13th-place finish.
The 29-year-old’s ability at centre-forward has been confirmed once more this season, with fine performances and five league goals to date catching the eye of bigger clubs.
The West Ham forward has been linked with a move across town to Chelsea, who have a goal-shy Olivier Giroud and mercurial Alvaro Morata as their forward options.
Manchester United have also been rumoured as a potential suitor, with Alexis Sanchez seemingly wanting out and Romelu Lukaku not suiting Jose Mourinho’s style.
Cole, who spent nine years of his career at West Ham and now appears as a pundit on Sky, believes that Arnautovic will not go but that they could cope if he was to leave.
We always find a way to carry on - we always do
"Do you know what, he's happy at this club," Cole told Sky Sports.
"I don't think he's looking actively to go and leave. He's loved here.
"I don't see any reason why he should be leaving the club.
“Everyone knows what he's capable of here and I think we'll see him stay.”
Chelsea signing Arnautovic 'would make sense' says Steve Nicol
West Ham are in their seventh consecutive season in the top-flight but have only managed one top-half finish in their latest stint, constantly flirting with relegation.
"If he does go, it will be a great loss to West Ham, but we always find a way to carry on. We always do,” Cole added.
"I don't want him to leave. I don't think the club will let him leave, because he's our main player."