Chinese club bid $44.7m for Premier League star striker Marko Arnautovic
Updated 09:56, 13-Jan-2019
CGTN
["europe","china"]
An unnamed Chinese Super League club have launched a stunning bid of 44.7 million U.S. dollars for West Ham United striker Marko Arnautovic, according to multiple British media outlets.
The 29-year-old Austrian, who joined West Ham for a club record of 25.5 million U.S. dollars from Stoke City in the summer of 2017, is the Premier League club's joint-top scorer with eight goals in 17 appearances this season. 
It is understood that the Hammers have no plans to sell their prime asset in winter transfer window, not least because they are going through a dreadful run of form. Manuel Pellegrini's side currently languish 10th in the Premier League, already 16 points adrift of the Champions League qualifying places.
Arnautovic scores eight goals in 17 games for West Ham United in all competitions this season. /VCG Photo

Arnautovic scores eight goals in 17 games for West Ham United in all competitions this season. /VCG Photo

And according to the latest reports from Sky Sports, West Ham have already rejected the bid, with a source close to the club quoted as saying the bid price "would be nowhere near enough for such a key player."
Arnautovic, who is under contract with the club until 2022, missed four league games last month with a hamstring injury but returned to action in great form, notching three goals in as many games.
The former Inter Milan marksman has also been linked with a possible move to Manchester United and Chelsea.