Arnie back in training as Irons await higher bid

Crossed arms and all – SIGH!

West Ham are expecting the bid for Marko Arnautovic to rise over the next few days but in the meantime, it’s business as usual in the striker’s life.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future the Austrian is understood to have been at training this morning ahead of the weekend game against Bournemouth.

The Hammers have made it very clear that he is going nowhere for what they consider a ridiculous €35 million (£31 million) and that another €10 million is a minimum requirement.

A senior source told ClaretandHugh on the telephone: “It is likely the club concerned will come back with an improved offer.”

However, even then it is no given he would be allowed to go and talks with the manager are very much on the agenda before any deal is done. Manuel Pellegrini alone will make the decision.

Pellegrini knows all about Chinese football and is set for a big heart to heart over what the player can expect to find in a country which is still considered worldwide as a backwater of the game.

The 65-year-old was extremely happy to return to the Premier League after a ruling was introduced that Chinese Super League teams needed to contain at least eight local players.

He will no doubt give his own opinion of the game in that country but there remains no chance of there remains no chance of him leaving under the terms of the present offer.