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Marko Arnautovic has been linked with a controversial return to West Ham United.

£10m star wanted by Moyes addresses rumours surrounding West Ham move

Arnautovic has been heavily linked with a return to West Ham in every window since his departure.

The Austrian was a revelation when Moyes converted him to a striker in his first spell at West Ham.

But he left the Hammers on a sour note, demanding a big money move to China just months after signing a bumper new deal in east London.

Moyes admitted Arnie interest but suggested his contract in China could be an issue

Moyes admitted he could consider re-signing Arnautovic when asked about his reported interest a couple of weeks ago.

But the West Ham boss admitted getting Arnautovic out of his big money contract – which still has a year to run – might be difficult.

“Maybe Marko would like to come back,” Moyes told the press ahead of the recent game against Brighton.

“But he’s on a lot of money in China so I’m not sure we’d be able to afford that.”

Well now Arnautovic has spoken out on the West Ham links after appearing on Austrian TV show Willkommen Osterreich.

Arnautovic interview suggests he will only be able to return to West Ham if Shanghai rip up his huge contract

But it was more a case of what he didn’t say that suggested a return to east London – or indeed anywhere in Europe – could prove difficult.

Unless, that is, Shanghai tear up his lucrative contract – which is reported to be anywhere between £250k and 400k.

“I can play in any league,” the 32-year-old told Willkommen Osterreich when asked if he can still cut it in Europe.

But when pushed further on the subject with specific mention of West Ham and other clubs he has been linked with such as Bologna, Arnautovic kept replying: “No comment,” pointing to his contract in Shanghai.

The somewhat bizarre interview was at one point interrupted by a woman talking in Mandarin about his nickname ‘the big baby’.

Arnautovic confirms Noble comments as he shows leadership qualities

The forward did however confirm comments made by West Ham captain Mark Noble on That Peter Crouch Podcast that he was one of the leaders in the dressing room despite a bad boy reputation.

“Of course, I’m one of the oldest and also a leader now and of course I want to lead the team,” he told Willkommen Osterreich regarding Austria at the Euros.

And he went on to say his bad boy days have been a thing of the past as a result of being a family man.

So it seems unless Shanghai tear up Arnautovic’s mega deal he won’t be going anywhere.

While it is perhaps understandable that Moyes would consider his former striker on a free transfer – and more reasonable wages.

It is surely a complete non-starter if West Ham had to pay money for a player they were forced to sell at a knockdown price in the first place.

Moyes will get his wish to assess Arnautovic up close when he faces Declan Rice and England in a friendly with Austria next Wednesday – see full story below.

Declan Rice to face Marko Arnautovic next week as West Ham boss David Moyes gets what he wants