Hammers confirm Arnie’s £200k a week demand
The Austrian striker has been in the news all week since his brother Danijel made it clear he could be on his way with Marko apparently saying that he trusted his brother with his best interests.
Now this morning new reports emerged that the player wants another £70k a week on top of his £130k and the club told ClaretandHugh that is the case.
A senior Hammers insider told us in a text earlier this afternoon: “The story is true. Arnautovic’s bother has put in a £200k a week demand which breaks our pay structure.”
Arnautovic has another four and a half years on his deal and the likleihood now is that the player will have to be sold but that won’t be happening in the January window.
The club cannot risk a dressing revolt among its senior players who will all be scrambling for mega rises if they see the club is prepared to break its pay structure on behalf of one player.
It looks more and more likely that Manchester United are ready to launch a bid with Jose Mourinho keen and that could leave Andy Carroll with a last chance to show he can be the answer up front.
The Hammers will start the bidding at £50m for Arnie who is 30 in April.