West Ham are set to launch a second bid for want away Stoke City midfielder Marko Arnautovic after the club’s original offer of £15 million was rejected, says the Evening Standard.
The Austria international handed in a transfer request easier this week while on pre-season with the Potters, and West Ham were quick to act. After having their first bid rebuffed however, it appears they are preparing a second bid that is closer to Stoke’s £25 million valuation of the player.
Arnautovic, 28, joined Stoke from Werder Bremen four seasons ago for £2 million, and has since found the net 26 times for Mark Hughes side in just shy of 150 games.
“We have received a bid from West Ham for Marko and it was turned down,” confirmed club chairman Peter Coates. “Mark Hughes is planning to meet with the player and hopefully he can find a positive resolution, as he did last year. We will only sell Marko if the terms are right but he’s not a player we want to lose.”
Arnautovic only recently signed a new four year deal with the club.
