Reports suggest West Ham are on verge of double deal for Stanislav Lobotka and Maxi Gomez which could pave the way for Marko Arnautovic departure

Lobotka, who has been the subject of a fresh approach from PSG this week, also has interest from Southampton, Everton, Zenit St Petersburg and Napoli, with the latter having made a loan with option to buy bid to sign the player.

According to Galicia Press Gomez is now closing in a move to East London. The report adds that the transfer could be ‘hours away from being completed’.

Speculation points to Arnautovic departure

That means Arnautovic is almost certainly on his way.

West Ham spent £100 million on new signings in the summer. So it is highly unlikely the club would sanction another splurge unless they had the money winging its way in from the sale of the Austrian.

Austrian wants to move to China but West Ham refuse to sell their top scorer for less than £50 million.

Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG have failed to meet West Ham’s £50m asking price. Reports at the weekend claimed any move was off (Sky Sports) as Arnautovic declared he was ‘not in the right frame of mind’ to play in West Ham’s defeat at Bournemouth.

West Ham have less than a week to make any signings before the January 31st deadline.

The Chinese window stays open until the end of February.

But the Hammers will understandably be keen to sell in January give Pellegrini time to replace such a key player.