Sorting the future of Marko Arnautovic is near the top of Inter Milan’s summer to-do list after being crowned Serie A champions – and only one club has been put forward as a potential suitor.
Arnautovic had been part of the Inter squad that won the Champions League in 2010, on loan from Twente, but he was only 20 and was on the fringes under Jose Mourinho. He kicked his career on at Werder Bremen before becoming a key part of Mark Hughes’s attack with Stoke City in the Premier League.
He left Stoke in 2017 and his journey has taken him back to Inter via West Ham, China and Bologna. Now age 35, he has largely been used from the bench over the last few months but still racked up 32 appearances and scored some crucial goals, including a Champions League winner against Atletico Madrid.
Inter, however, have lined up Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, aged 31, to come in as his replacement and are now apparently actively looking to move Arnie on. The trouble will be finding a new home that can afford him and would be attractive to him – and there is apparently “only one club” that San Siro insiders say could tick both boxes: Stoke City.
Inter Live write: “Inter would like to sell Arnautovic, despite words of encouragement from (manager, Simone) Inzaghi. However, there are no buyers ready to pay at least 5 million euros into Inter’s coffers, the minimum to avoid recording a capital loss.
“Arnautovic could have a market in Saudi Arabia or the United States . However, he seems intent on continuing to play in ‘football that matters’ after having already trying the experience of a rich exile in China.
“In Italy, various middle and low ranking teams like the Austrian but there is the problem of the salary: too high. In Europe, however, there is only one club that could be interested in investing in the thirty-five year old. This is Stoke City.
“The supporters of the English club are crazy about the Austrian, who was one of their most important and decisive players. Stoke are no longer a top team: they are currently languishing in mid-table in the Championship, the British second division.
“Could Arnautovic ever accept playing in Serie B? It doesn’t seem very realistic as a scenario. But it must also be said that the Coates family, owners of the English club, have a lot of money and would like to re-establish the club from a technical point of view to return to the Premier League as soon as possible. Arnautovic could be the experienced player dear to the market to be associated with young prospects and others in the mid-range to aim for promotion.”
Arnautovic’s old mate Jon Walters returned to Stoke in March as sporting director and will take overall responsibility for transfers this summer. He is 35 but he would make mincemeat of the Championship, if he was up for it. Stoke have to abide by strict Financial Fair Play rules but if Arnautovic fancied an ambitious Stanley Matthews-style late career project…
One to probably file in the probably not column. But has anyone got Steven Nzonzi’s number?
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