Marko Arnautovic suggested that he is open to returning to West Ham a couple of days ago.
The Austrian responded to Arthur Masuaku during the West Ham left-back’s Instagram live feed.
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Sure, he may have been saying it in jest. But stranger things have happened. And Arnie’s move to China hasn’t exactly worked out for him.
The 30-year-old joined the Hammers from Stoke City in the summer of 2017 for around £20 million (BBC).
Arnautovic went on to rack up 22 goals and 12 assists in 65 games for West Ham (Transfermarkt).
Marko Arnautovic (Photo by Yifan Ding/Getty Images)
Exceptional talent, questionable attitude
The Austria international was a divisive figure at the London Stadium, however. On his day, he was unplayable. But the 30-year-old angered Hammers fans by demanding an exit from east London on more than one occasion.
Arnautovic left West Ham for SIPG Shanghai in the summer of 2019 for a fee believed to be worth £22.4 million (BBC). And he has scored 10 goals in 16 games for his new club (Transfermarkt).
He earns £200,000 per week in China, according to the Mirror.
The 30-year-old commented on Arthur Masuaku’s live Instagram feed the other day, suggesting that he would be open to a return to the Hammers:
Arnautovic on Masuakus Instagram live 👀 pic.twitter.com/nnj7q4HUxG
— West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) April 15, 2020
Whether Arnie meant it as a joke or not is debatable.
But some West Ham fans reacted angrily on Twitter to his comments nonetheless…
Once a snake always a snake mate same with payet he must be laughing to get linked with West Ham again
— craig ottley (@CraigOttley) April 15, 2020
Must of won all them trophies he went for
— Brad Barnard (@Brad__barnard8) April 15, 2020
is this snake for real?
— Stephen George Lott (@stephenlott) April 17, 2020
I definitely don’t want him. Firstly, because of the way he left and the big fuss he caused. Second, because I never like re-signing old players, because I think it shows regression of the club, or at least no progression, and a lack of desire/ambition.
— Vijay Kundra (@vijaykundra10) April 16, 2020
They can both do one
— HammerIt (@HammerIt1) April 15, 2020
People have short memories, how could anyone want him back after what he did throughout that final season?
— Hugh Moore (@HughMoo26156470) April 16, 2020
He’s just scared of wuhan away next season
— Tom (@Tomconnolly86) April 15, 2020
He’d just be using us to move back to Europe so he can dump us again and get his ‘dream’ move to a ‘bigger’ club. Am sure we can find a similar style of player to partner Haller but without the baggage and the histrionics.
— Mark Jones (@MarkJon10215738) April 16, 2020
Then why did you leave like that? LOL
— Said Muvdi (@SaidMenSnow) April 15, 2020
And then “I’ll sulk bro no problems”
— Paul Chaplin (@PaulCha58026371) April 16, 2020