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West Ham buckle to Marko Arnautovic transfer pressure - This is why decided to sell
WEST HAM are finally prepared to sell Marko Arnautovic… because they have a replacement in mind.
West Ham and Arnautovic have been at odds this winter, with the player keen to leave.
Arnautovic only joined the Hammers from Stoke in the summer of 2017.
But 18 months down the line and the Austria international wants out.
It is understood the playmaker has requested to leave West Ham but the club had to this point refused to consider selling.
But West Ham’s bosses have now had a change of heart.
And that’s because a new target has come into view.
It is understood Celta Vigo forward Maxi Gomez is on the east London club’s radar.
Gomez has scored nine goals for Celta this season and played for Uruguay twice.
Gomez has a release clause and landing him will cost the Hammers £43m.
And that’s where Arnautovic’s sale is now necessary.
A move to the Chinese Super League seems to be on the cards for the Austria international.
Manchester United were linked with a transfer during the first half of the season.
But with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now in charge until the end of the campaign, United are unwilling to splash serious cash right now.
Earlier today Arnautovic posted a clue that he may soon be on his way out of West Ham.
“News very soon,” he posted on instagram.
Indeed, it has emerged the player is NOT in the squad list to face AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup on Saturday.