Stoke Hopeful of 3rd West Ham Bid to Finally Meet the Potters' Asking Price for Arnautovic
Stoke City had rejected a bid from West Ham United Last week worth £20m for one of their most important attacking players.
Anticipating another bid, Stoke have set an asking price of £22.5m for Marko Arnautovic from West HamUnited in order to secure enough funds to target three other players including Chelsea's Kurt Zouma, Daily Mail reports.
Stoke City's Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Hull City at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
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Despite Arnautovic signing a four-year contract last year, it is understood that the Austrian winger wants a move to the London club.
However, Stoke initially rejected the Hammers' second bid as they wanted to be £20m clear rather than giving a 10% fee to additional payments such as agents and bonuses.
A solid £20m in funds would allow Mark Hughes to target three players should West Ham accept the new offer.
SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 22: Marko Arnautovic of Stoke City misses a penalty during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Due to the exciting potential of young Stoke winger Ramadan Sobhi, Hughes is looking for players in other positions if Arnautovic departs from the Potters, specifically two centre backs and a midfielder.
Chelsea's Kurt Zouma is a target for Stoke and is currently rated at £12m.
Stoke City's Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic chases the ball during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and West Ham United at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on April 29, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
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The Potters are also confident in securing a permanent move from Dutch centre half Bruno Martins Indi, who wants to join them despite rumoured interests from Crystal Palace.
Martins Indi enjoyed his loan spell at Stoke last season and has also bought a house as he awaits a deal to strike between Stoke City and parent club Porto.
