Marko Arnautovic will provide goals and drama in equal measure if he completes his proposed move from West Ham to Shanghai SIPG.

The volatile striker, affectionately known as 'Arnie' to Hammers fans, was reportedly the subject of a $44 million offer from SIPG last week.

West Ham declared the Austria international is not for sale but the club is believed to be holding out for an improved bid.

The player's agent and brother Danijel Arnautovic said his client had a "great desire that West Ham accept the offer from China".

Both The Daily Mail and Sky Sports have reported that West Ham is lining up Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez as a replacement for Arnautovic.

However, Sky also adds that Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini will have the final say over whether Arnautovic, who has three and a half years remaining on his contract, is allowed to leave.

SIPG is said to be offering Arnautovic wages of around $260,000 per week in a four-year deal, despite the introduction of a new salary cap for Chinese Super League teams in the forthcoming season, which kicks off in March.

Arnautovic appeared to bid Hammers fans farewell as he clapped and waved to the crowd when he was substituted in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Arsenal.

If he does depart, Chinese fans should prepare themselves for an entertaining show from one of the English Premier League's most colorful characters.

Labeled 'Mad Marko' by media, the 29-year-old has the potential, both with his explosive play and personality, to eclipse SIPG's big-money Brazilian pair Oscar and Hulk in China.

Craziness, cars and cops

Recently-fired Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho once described Arnautovic as having the attitude of a child, while Steve McClaren, his boss at Dutch club Twente, reportedly told friends he was the craziest player he had ever managed.

A close pal of former Manchester City and current Nice striker Mario Balotelli, another player with a bad-boy tag, Arnautovic infuriated Mourinho when he briefly played on loan at Inter Milan.

While in Italy, Arnautovic borrowed teammate Samuel Eto 'o's Bentley and it was stolen while in his possession.

"I drove it for two weeks to check whether I liked it. I was at a restaurant with friends when it was stolen. This incident affected me so badly I was unable to train," Arnautovic said at the time.

He had already got off to a bad start by turning up to training with 'Champions League winner 2010' printed on his boots, even though he was left out of the Inter squad for the final.

He has also cycled into a golf cart, tore a knee ligament while playing with his dog and reportedly insulted a Vienna police officer by telling him; "Shut up! I earn so much, I can buy your life."

While with German side Werder Bremen, he was suspended after being pulled over in his sports car for speeding in the early hours of the morning before a match.

Arnautovic vowed to turn over a new leaf after the birth of his daughter, just before his transfer to Stoke City in 2013.

"I must keep myself under control. I have a big responsibility as a father. That helps me to be more sensible," he said.

"It's better that I just keep my mouth shut and let my feet do the talking."

Arnautovic initially made a good impression at unglamorous Stoke, but he angered then Potters boss Mark Hughes by requesting a $2.5 million transfer when alerted to West Ham's interest.

After sealing a $26 million switch to West Ham in 2017, he won over its notoriously fickle fans with his penchant for the audacious, and 11 goals earned him the east London club's player of the season award.

Arnautovic maintained his fine form in the first half of the current campaign, netting eight times to seemingly put him on the brink of a massive payday in China.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)