Hammers hopes grow on target
Having had one bid rejected, the board are continuing to pursue the left sided wideman and believe that Stoke will be ready to sell.
However, the player suffered what has been described as a knee injury in Stoke’s opening pre-season friendly and should a deal be done with The Potters he will face an intense medical before any move is completed.
The cynics have dubbed the injury “convenient” but that will not get in the way of Gary Lewin’s team giving Arnautovic the most thorough examination.
The Austrian is very much a Slaven Bilic pick who seems keen to play with two out and out widemen this season with Antonio on the other flank.
A figure of £15 million has been attached to the Hammers first bid and they are set to return with a new offer over the next couple of days.
We were told: “He’s a player we like and would like to sign and we believe there may well be a willingness from Stoke to do business but the medical will be very important should we get to that stage.”