Arnie stunner: “I want to compete with the best”

Marko Arnautovic has openly admitted for the first team that he could be tempted to leave West Ham and his agent/ brother Danijel has made it clear it could happen.

The Hammers top man raised serious alarm bells in an interview with the Austrian newspaper Kurier where he is  quoted as saying: “I’m 29, so that’s the best age. It’s clear that I want to compete with the best players. But in this affair I totally trust my brother.”

Manchester United were believed to be anxious to sign him in the summer but the Irons were and are  determined to hold on to the striker.

However his brother’s words are of major concern as the transfer window approaches.

His brother said: “He’s already playing in the Premier League and that’s where the best players are. But for a player like Marko this cannot be the end.

“Marko is really enjoying playing for West Ham. He loves that club and the fans. But there is still that feeling, that this cannot be the end. And everybody should understand that.”

Asked if it was possible Arnautovic could leave soon, his brother added: “That’s possible. It was already very, very close this last summer.”

CandH says: This is the worst news in the world to wake up to. However, it has to be said the report from the Austrian paper will come as no big surprise if we are all entirely honest with ourselves. Arnie has been a phenomenon since he arrived from Stoke and switched to central striker. It would be impossible to believe that the world hasn’t been watching him with Jose Mourinho making a well publicised scouting visit whilst he was on international duty back in the summer..That he should now be making such noises about his future can’t be brushed off . He will of course demand the largest transfer fee in our history and the club will no doubt claim he’s not for sale. However, this is not good. There is no way I would expect him to leave in January but next summer now looks another critical period for the club.