Bologna have officially announced former Hammer Marko Arnautovic’s arrival from Shanghai Port ending his self imposed Chinese exile.
The transfer for Arnautovic to Bologna is a done deal for knockdown price and the Italian club posted a funny video to announce the arrival.
“Bologna FC 1909 announce that they have acquired the right to sporting services for striker Marko Arnautovic from Shanghai SIPG,” the club wrote in a statement.
The club uploaded CCTV footage of Stadio Renato Dall’Ara that shows the presence of a spirit that wanders through the corridors at the ground.
In the end, the Austria international reveal himself in a Bologna shirt. The caption on the video says: “We do not recommend viewing for easily scared people.”
West Ham sold the striker for £22.5m in 2019 to Shanghai but Bologna have been reportedly paid just £2.7m for the 32-year-old forward.
The Austrian departed the Hammers after two seasons at the London Stadium, during which he scored 22 goals in 65 appearances in Claret and Blue.
I’d take him back at West Ham right now. Going into our busiest season in years with .75 of a striker.
I am surprised we didn’t bring Arnie back. Good price, proved he was still decent at the Euros and someone Moyes has worked with and knows can work well in his system. We heard from both him and Nobes that he was well liked in the dressing room so no issues there.
Given our need for a forward it seemed like a no brainer.
Can only assume it was the board that didn’t want him back. Especially as Brady went out of her way to slag him off in her Sun column shortly after Noble and Moyes had talked up the possibility of Arnie returning.