West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini gave a suggestion that forward Marko Arnautovic could be remaining at the London Stadium next season, after West Ham’s 3-0 victory against Southampton on Saturday.
Arnautovic has been the subject of intense speculation about his future with the club since the January transfer window, but no transfer materialised and the Austrian has struggled in the last few months, with his two goals in West Ham’s win against Southampton ending a lengthy goal drought.
Speaking to West Ham’s official club website after the win against Southampton Pellegrini hinted that Arnautovic could be a key figure with the club next season, saying: “Marko has had a special season but he finished very well today.”
“Next season, I am sure we are going to see the Marko Arnautovic who knows how much he can give to this club.
“Today, he played very well, not just with the two goals that he scored but also with the way he was involved in the game. He was absolutely concentrated.”
OPINION
Manuel Pellegrini’s comments about the potential future of Marko Arnautovic will be a real boost for West Ham supporters, as the club prepare to improve on this season’s mid-table finish next season. Arnautovic’s value to this West Ham side is massive, with the Austrian being directly involved in 30 Premier League for West Ham since the start of last season, which is 14 more than the next best performing West Ham player. The Hammers somewhat struggled during Arnautovic’s dip in form and absence from the side over the course of the turn of the year, but now with the Austria international back to his best the Hammers have picked up back to back wins in the last two weeks. West Ham supporters will hope they are going to see a committed in form Anrautovic at the London Stadium next season, which if they do see will give West Ham a chance of improving on a solid first season under Pellegrini. Arnautovic has shown the type of player he can be at his best and now needs to focus on consistently delivering the kind of performance he produced against Southampton.
