Pellegrini gives firm answer on Arnautovic as West Ham fans react to no-show v Brighton

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West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini insists the decision on whether to sell or keep Marko Arnautovic is firmly in his hands.

Arnautovic has been heavily linked with a move away from West Ham with the Chinese Super League his likely destination

Will Arnautovic leave West Ham? Five key things to know…

  1. Marko Arnautovic has been heavily linked with a move to China this month, having been subject to two bids of £30m+ so far.
  2. The Austrian’s brother and agent added fuel to the rumours by stating Arnautovic’s wishes to leave West Ham.
  3. Arnautovic was left out of Saturday’s game to play Bournemouth amid the speculation.
  4. But Pellegrini says the decision is in his hands, though he will not force Arnautovic to stay.
  5. Arnautovic has been directly involved in 26 Premier League goals since joining West Ham last season, at least 13 more than any other player in that time.

West Ham fans have compared the situation to that of Dimitri Payet, who left the club in 2017 having enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough year the season prior.

But Pellegrini remains clear that the final decision to sell or keep Arnautovic is in his hands, and he will not be forced to get rid of the Austrian.

“Absolutely, 100 per cent sure. I have the final say,” he told reporters ahead of West Ham’s game against Bournemouth on Saturday.

“If I say the player must stay, the player will stay.

“I don’t have any problem with the club. In all the months I’ve been working here, I never had any problems with the owners about that. So they are not forcing me to sell Marko Arnautovic.

“But I think, as a manager, the best thing is to take the solution that is best for the player and the club. Both together. If they agree, we don’t have any problem to change.”

Arnautovic is West Ham’s joint-top scorer in all competitions with eight goals this season, alongside Felipe Anderson.

Arnautovic dropped from West Ham matchday squad

Despite Pellegrini all-but insisting Arnautovic will be staying at West Ham this month, the Austrian was absent from the matchday squad that lost 2-0 to Bournemouth on Saturday.

It was first reported on Friday that the Austrian would miss out having been subject to a second bid from a club in China, this time Guangzhou Evergrande offering £35m.

No official line has been given to explain Arnautovic’s absence from the Bournemouth game, though West Ham fans were able to joke about the matter.

The post Manuel Pellegrini: I decide if Marko Arnautovic leaves West Ham for China appeared first on Squawka News.



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