Slaven Bilic Confident of Marko Arnautovic Signing as Hammers Prepare Third Offer
Marko Arnautović could be set to end his four-year spell with Stoke this summer as West Ham prepare to lodge another bid to convince the Potters to sell.
Arnautović has impressed in the Premier League after his £3m move from Werder Bremen. However, after handing in a transfer request at the bet365 stadium, West Ham have stepped up in their attempts to sign the Austrian forward.
Having already seen a £20m offer for Arnautović rejected by Stoke City, Hammers boss Slaven Bilić is aware the club will have to break their transfer record to bring the 28-year-old to London, according to The Times.
The potential transfer is also set to smash Stoke's record sale for a player, currently set at £8m for goalkeeper Asmir Begović.
With deals for Olivier Giroud and Kelechi Iheanacho apparently falling through, West Ham have been desperately trying to sign forwards this summer to boost their ailing front line.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Javier Hernandez of Mexico celebrates his sides first goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Play-Off for Third Place between Portugal and Mexico at Spartak Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
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Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernández has also been linked with a move to the London Stadium, although it seems no concrete progress has been made.
Arnautović will bring a great deal of pace and power to the West Ham attack, something that can also be found in Hammers favourite Michail Antonio.
The Austrian, although predominantly a left-side player, can play through the middle and he retains a huge amount of quality despite the fact he has, on more than one occasion, proved his inconsistency can let him down.
