West Ham star turns back on move to sign new contract

West Ham have received a boost with Marko Arnautovic extending his deal with the Londoners having refuted any desire to leave on Instagram on Friday.

The Austrian had been heavily linked with a big money move to China, with reports suggesting that the forward was keen to leave the Hammers this month.

Arnautovic has been in and out of the team amidst the rumours but rejected the claim that he had ever refused to play for the club and has now committed his future to the cause after agreeing new terms on a deal that was due to expire in 2022.

He said on the club’s official website: “I’m happy for this and I want to say to the fans that I’m happy to stay.

“I’m glad to play again, show myself and score goals, to make assists, but also to say that the major point is Marko Arnautovic never refused (to play or train). I would never refuse.

“I’m happy, I’m happy to come to this point. I’m happy that this club is improving. Step by step, every week, every month we are seeing some improvement and that’s good.”

The 29-year-old has seven league goals to his name in 16 appearances having ended his debut campaign with West Ham as their top scorer, scoring 11 league goals having signed for what was a club record fee from Stoke in 2017.