OPINION
There has been a lot of speculation recently regarding the future of West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic, and that has no doubt fuelled some tension amongst the fans.
The last thing they would want to happen this month is for their star forward to leave, but that scenario is becoming ever more realistic the more the Austrian improves.
Sky Sports may have reported that the Hammers have knocked back a bid for the attacker, but that is certainly not going to stop other clubs coming after him.
This is why they must prepare for the worst case scenario, and seal a swoop for a talisman who is more than capable of filling his place.
That player is Callum Wilson, who according to the Daily Mail, is a top target for the Hammers if one of their best players does give in to temptation and makes the move away from the London Stadium.
A move for Wilson – who is on £60,000-a-week [Spotrac] – would be an absolute masterstroke if pulled off by Manuel Pellegrini, as there has also been interest from Chelsea in acquiring the dazzler’s signature.
He has netted ten goals this season so far – just one less than the player he could potentially replace – so the prospect of Arnautovic leaving could not be so bad after all, could it?
The 26-year-old ace has been Bournemouth’s best player this term by a country mile, and even though the Hammers may have to make an offer in excess of £35 million in order to land him, they must pull out all of the stops to ensure that he becomes a West Ham player.
Chelsea have shown in the past that when they sign English players – such as Danny Drinkwater, and Ross Barkley up until recently – they tend to go under the radar and be forgotten about.
Surely Wilson does not want the same fate? West Ham could seriously do with a player with such a knack for goal, especially after the mixed season they have had.
One thing is for sure though – the West Ham fans would certainly be blowing bubbles if Pellegrini pulled off this blinder of a swoop.
