Ben Guest
Marko Arnautovic has committed his immediate future to West Ham United, saying that he will not be leaving the East London club in the current transfer window.
The forward was heavily linked with a move to China, a move that the Austrian has described as ‘very tempting’.
Reports had suggested that Shanghai SIPG were willing to offer him £250,000-a-week, far in excess of his current salary at the London Stadium, however, they baulked at West Ham‘s £50 million valuation of the striker.
After missing the weekend defeat to Bournemouth, the 29-year-old returned to training earlier this week, and he has now confirmed he will be staying in East London until the end of the season at least.
“I guess it’s no secret that there has been an offer for me and I have to admit that the offer was a very tempting one for me and my family,” Arnautovic told his Instagram followers.
“I’ve given 100 per cent to my club duties but I have also needed some time to talk to my club, my wife and the rest of my family.
“I have now decided to put a stop to all the writings and speculation. I’m a professional footballer and the only thing I know in life is to play football.
“It’s clear that London and West Ham United feels like home for me and I hope the West Ham fans have always seen that.
“The club has pointed my career in the right direction since I joined and therefore I want to put the offers aside, help the club climb as high as possible in the table and try to win the Cup.
“Let’s focus on the rest of this season together and let them bubbles fly.”