West Ham have confirmed forward Marko Arnautovic has joined Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG for an undisclosed fee.
The Austria international had been keen to leave the Hammers and the 30-year-old completed a medical in China over the weekend. It has been reported Shanghai SIPG have paid a fee in the region of £23million for Arnautovic, who scored 21 goals in 59 Premier League games for West Ham after joining from Stoke City two years ago.
West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini will now attempt to sign an attacking replacement and Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez is understood to be the Chilean’s top target. Gomez is thought to be keen on a switch to the Premier League and he has a release clause of around £45m in his deal with the Spanish side.
Celta want to keep hold of Gomez but they will be powerless to prevent the 22-year-old Uruguay international from moving on if his release clause is met. So far, West Ham have brought in four new faces with Pablo Fornals their most high-profile arrival as he joined in a £24million deal from Villarreal.
The Londoners have also snapped up goalkeepers David Martin and Roberto, as well as midfielder Christian Veliky who will initially link up with the club’s academy.
West Ham begin the new season with a home game against champions Manchester City and they are 9.50 to secure all three points, while the Hammers are 15.00 to finish in the top six in the Premier League.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet