Declan Rice posted a picture with Marko Arnautovic on Instagram last night as reports continue to link the Austrian with a return to West Ham.
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Hammers boss David Moyes desperately needs to bring a couple of top class centre-forwards to the London Stadium this summer.
And Marko Arnautovic is a name that has been extensively linked with a move to West Ham over the past few months.
Tutto Mercato Web, ExWHUemployee and talkSPORT transfer expert Alex Crook have all claimed that the 32-year-old is on the Hammers’ radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 32-year-old could be available on a free transfer. So as long as Moyes brings in a marquee name as well, signing Arnie on a free wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.
Arnautovic wouldn’t be welcomed back to the London Stadium with open arms, however.
He is far from popular in East London after the way he angled for a move away from the Hammers before his eventual exit two years ago.
The 87-capped Austria international left the London Stadium to join Shanghai SIPG, now known as Shanghai Port, in July 2019. The striker earns an incredible £200k-a-week in China (Daily Mirror).
Declan Rice posts Marko Arnautovic picture on Instagram
It seems as though the charismatic striker is still a very popular figure amongst the players at West Ham.
Dec is clearly a big fan of Arnie. He posted the below picture with the Austrian after last night’s international game:
If ever you needed proof that the Hammers players would be open to an Arnautovic return it is that picture above.
Sure, he’s 32 and probably past his best. But the former Stoke City man could definitely still do a job for West Ham for one or two years.
Whether Moyes will be brave enough to bring him back, however, remains to be seen.