Arnautovic edges closer to exit door

Marko Arnautovic is heading closer to the West Ham exit door with the thumb screws well and truly on the club from the striker and his brother.

The odds are shortening quickly on a solution being found to keep him at the club with a senior source admitting to us by e mail: “It’s becoming a re-run of the Payet situation – he wants out on the terms being offered from the Chinese.”

The club is thought to be Shanghai and we have learned that they have made it very clear to the Hammers that they are entirely unready to go any higher than £20 million for the Austrian striker.

Our source said: “It’s a very difficult situation but it’s probably fair to say that the odds are now far shorter on him staying than they are him leaving.”

And he added: “It is very similar to the Payet situation where only one club interested him but Marko’s interest appears to be based on money rather than personal circumstances with gave Dimi’s some justification.”

He added: “It’s the wrong moment to be involved in fighting feuds with players – a decision needs to be made as quickly as we can.”