Arnautovic ends transfer speculation by signing West Ham extension
Marko Arnautovic isn't going to China.
Shortly after West Ham's shocking FA Cup loss to third-tier AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, the club ended rampant speculation about the Austrian forward's future by confirming his contract extension.
"I'm happy for this and I want to say to the fans that I'm happy to stay ... but also to say that the major point is Marko Arnautovic never refused (to play or train). I would never refuse," the 29-year-old said in a statement.
A message from Marko Arnautovic to the fans: pic.twitter.com/QgLFhMuynm
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) January 26, 2019
It seemed as though the Hammers were resigned to losing the wantaway striker earlier in the window; Arnautovic appeared to bid farewell to the club's fans when he was substituted in the 1-0 win over Arsenal on Jan. 12.
Rumors started to swirl.
A hefty bid, said to be worth £36 million, was reportedly taken off the table by an unnamed Chinese side, with additional reports then claiming the Hammers would sanction a move to Guangzhou Evergrande if an offer of £45 million was presented.
That never materialized, though Arnautovic admitted on Instagram the prospect of a big payday in China was "a very tempting one for me and my family."
The veteran attacker, who has seven Premier League goals in 16 appearances this season, is now expected to rejoin his teammates after manager Manuel Pellegrini omitted him from the squad for the club's last two matches.