OPINION
West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic has put an end to speculation about his future after penning a contract extension with the club.
As reported on the club’s official website, the Austria international has reiterated his commitment to the club by signing a fresh deal amid interest from the Chinese Super League.
The 29-year-old had released a statement on his Instagram on Friday revealing he was staying at the club until the summer, admitting that there was a deal on the table but claiming that the London Stadium felt like ‘home.’
Such a move was not expected by many, with the 29-year-old seemingly set on a big-money move to China and the lucrative contract on offer.
However, the fact is that Arnautovic signing a new deal – one which undoubtedly has handed him better wages and more financial incentives – does not come close to papering over the huge crack which has appeared at the London Stadium.
Arnautovic is clearly going to leave the club when the summer rolls around, with it being suggested in many places that such an agreement was part of his new deal.
Even if he ends up finding his form again and banging in the goals between now and the end of the season, his relationship with the club’s fanbase is ruined beyond repair.
A bizarre announcement video in which he declared he was ‘back’ has not helped matters, especially considering the fact this was all confirmed in the wake of their embarrassing 4-2 loss to AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup.
No one has been fooled by this new deal and Arnautovic’s seeming commitment to the club, and the comedy of errors regarding their timing of the announcement has probably worsened things.
The damage has now been done, and quite frankly there is nothing the club or player can do to fix it, especially not a poxy new deal accompanied by a ridiculous video.
