Marko Arnautovic’s brother and agent Danijel Arnautovic spoke exclusively to talkSPORT, and dropped a bombshell – which will definitely anger the West Ham fans – saying that the talisman forward wants to leave the club to move to China in January.

According to BBC Sport, West Ham have received a £35m bid from an unnamed Chinese club for their star player. Manuel Pellegrini, the Hammers boss, has revealed earlier today that he wants to keep the player in the club, but this latest comment will come as a surprise for him.

The Hammers have issued a short statement to say Arnautovicis not for sale.

In response to the statement from the brother and agent of Marko Arnautovic this afternoon, the Club has issued the following: pic.twitter.com/6A2p3glFhg

— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) January 10, 2019

Since joining the club in 2016 on a big money deal from Stoke City, Arnautovic has established himself as a key player and a fan favourite. He has scored eight goals in all competitions this season.

His agent Danijel Arnautovic told talkSPORT:

“West Ham bought Marko for peanuts. They paid £20m for him, which is nothing in the current market. Now West Ham have a fantastic offer. It is close to double what they paid for him. He wants to go to a new market and challenge for titles. This is what he wants. It is his great desire that West Ham accept the offer from China.”

The Hammers fans have taken to social networking site Twitter to express their reaction, and needless to say many of them find the situation similar to that of Dimitri Payet. Here are some of the selected tweets:

West Ham United:

“Marko has a contract and we fully expect him to honour it. He is not for sale.”

Danijel Arnautovic: pic.twitter.com/hri8bNLAn5

— Alan (@_AlanWHUAlan_) January 10, 2019

Let’s be brutally honest, IF, a big if, Arnautovic leaves a West Ham side pushing up the Premier League under Pellegrini, playing in front of 66k fans in London to move to some bullshit league in China at 29/30 then it tarnishes everything he’s done in English football.

— Forever Boleyn (@ForeverBoleyn) January 10, 2019

Please don’t tell me Marko Arnautovic is actually leaving. This is just another payet moment.

— Louis (@louis_warwick) January 10, 2019

Seems this is all about money. He’s already on a lot but Arnautovic could use the China offer to try to get more out of West Ham. 30 soon, last big deal… #whufc

— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) January 10, 2019

Marko Arnautovic strikes me as the kind of guy who would be a cancer in the dressing room if he’s unhappy, would be unprofessional and refuse to play.

This is going to be so funny to watch.

— Carl (@CarlTHFC) January 10, 2019

Arnautovic/Payet situation inbound

— hendogg (@HenryM131) January 10, 2019

Losing a player of Arnautovic’s calibre would be a huge blow, but if West Ham get anything around £35m-40m, they should take the money. Pellegrini can re-invest that amount to bring in an able-bodied replacement.