OPINION
The future of West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic is up in the air after a January filled with speculation – although it seems unlikely the Austrian will be plying his trade at the London Stadium next season.
The 6’3″ colossus [Transfermarkt] has been a mainstay in the first team this season but has seen his form fall off the cliff since the turn of the year, leading to plenty of frustration from the stands in east London.
There is little doubting that he is their best forward on his day but those days are few and far between at the moment – although there would still be disappointment among the fans to see him leave.
However, he would forgotten in a flash if the club replaced him with Ivan Perisic, with Gazzetta Dello Sport reporting that the Hammers have joined the race to try and prise the Croatian international away from Inter Milan this summer.
It will not be an easy task for Manuel Pellegrini’s men, with London rivals and Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Tottenham also said to be in the hunt, and so the 30-year-old’s signing would be a real coup if they could pull it off.
A winger by trade, the 78-cap international would be able to take Arnautovic’s place on the right flank and if they can seal another striker to lead the line then the Hammers could have a fearsome forward line.
Arnautovic looks to have checked out already and so finding someone to fill his boots is a must. Perisic, with seven goals and eight assists this season, would have the Hammers faithful forgetting the Austrian in no time at all.
