West Ham have secured the services of winger Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City in a deal worth £25 million plus another £5 million in potential add-ons. The Austrian, who notched six league goals in 32 appearances last season, has penned a five-year deal with the Hammers.
Total Arnautovic cost for West Ham £51m. Fee up to £25m. Wages over 5 years £26m. Best-paid player in club history. Earning £100,000 a week
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) July 21, 2017
West Ham sign Marko Arnautovic
It turned out to be third time lucky for the club after failing with their opening two attempts to lure the 28-year-old away from Stoke. Arnautovic joined the Potters from Werder Bremen in 2013 and is just 12 months into a four-year contract.
The winger will now link up with fellow new signings and Manchester City duo Pablo Zabaleta and Joe Hart. West Ham confirmed on Tuesday that goalkeeper Hart, 30, joined on a season long loan deal.
The Hammers are also hopeful of agreeing a deal for former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkuson in the coming days.
Arnautovic, though, is expected to be out of action for a while after suffering a knee injury in Stoke’s preseason friendly against Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax last week.
“It feels special to me to be a West Ham player,” said Arnautovic, who has 62 caps for Austria. “Everyone knows that West Ham is a big club, with big history and I’m happy to be a part of it now. I can’t wait to get started.
“I played against West Ham at the old stadium – I didn’t play last year at the new stadium because I was suspended – but I came to the game and I can only say it is a massive club with a lot of fans. They are crazy for football and this is what I like. The club is still growing, getting better and better and that’s why I’m here.”
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