West Ham reluctantly agree to sell Arnautovic on the cheap

West Ham have accepted an improved £22.5m offer for Marko Arnautovic from Chines Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG, claims Sky Sports.

The Hammers have ran out of patience with Arnautovic’s behaviour and everyone at the club, including manager and players, want him sold.

West Ham turned down a £40m bid from an unnamed Chinese club in January and have now accepted an offer of nearly half that fee.

Arnautovic signed a bumper new deal at the start of the year but his representatives have this time succeeded in engineering a move away.

The Austria international has spent the last two years at West Ham after making a £25m move from Stoke in the summer of 2017.

Arnautovic reached double figures for goals in both of his league campaigns at West Ham and was briefly linked with a move to Manchester United 12 months ago.

Then-United manager Jose Mourinho wanted to sign the 30-year-old to bolster his offensive options but now the troublesome forward is heading to China.

West Ham have stepped up their search for Arnautovic’s replacement but face a huge task to hi-jack Valencia’s move for Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez, who wants Champions League football.

Arnautovic has played a direct hand in 32 goals in 59 Premier League appearances for West Ham, more than any other player at the club during that period.