UK Edition
Marko Arnautovic likely to stay at West Ham after £36m Chinese Super League offer is withdrawn
Marko Arnautovic is set to stay at West Ham United after a €40million (£36million) offer to sign him was withdrawn by a Chinese Super League club.
Although the identity of the club has not been confirmed it is understood to be Shanghai SIPG, who are now considering other targets.
Should they have to sell West Ham have been looking for replacements for Arnautovic who was left out of the 2-0 defeat away to Bournemouth by Manuel Pellegrini.
The West Ham manager, who had the final say on whether Arnautovic could leave, if a deal was agreed, believed that the 29-year-old was not in the right state of mind to play.
Pellegrini will now have the task of reintegrating the Austrian international back into his squad ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie away to League One AFC Wimbledon next Saturday.
Arnautovic had made it clear to West Ham and to his team-mates that he wanted to leave during this transfer window and was keen to take up the Chinese offer which would have seen him more than double his current salary.
His agent, and brother, Danijel, issued a strong statement asking for West Ham to accept the bid but the club were adamant that they would not do so without a replacement first being signed. At the same time West Ham issued their own statement insisting Arnautovic was not for sale and they would not be interested in any offers being made.
Arnautovic was signed by West Ham from Stoke City for a then club record £20million, rising to £25million with add-ons, and has three years left on his contract after this season. It remains to be seen what happens with him, and whether Pellegrini wants to retain him, after this campaign.
It is possible, with the Chinese transfer window remaining open until February, that an improved offer might be made but West Ham will not sell without making a signing first, it is understood.