Marko Arnautovic is West Ham's new Dimitri Payet for all the wrong reasons. It was around this time two years ago when I had dinner with some friends who then worked for West Ham .
The mood was sombre - and it had nothing to do with who would be footing the bill!
Rather it was just hours after the manager at the time, Slaven Bilic, delivered the bombshell news during his morning press conference - completely unbeknown to them - that Dimitri Payet wanted out.
Despite strong whispers of Payet's unhappiness (apparently he would sit alone, staring at his iPad in the corner of the dressing room at the club's training ground), it came as a huge shock.
And so there wasn't an awful lot to say about it. The disappointment around the table spoke volumes. We all knew West Ham would lose one of the best players they had in years - and he'd only been there for 18 months.
Judging by the blunt 18-word statement sent out on Thursday, I can only imagine the feeling was similar this time round with Marko Arnautovic.
"Marko Arnautovic has a contract and we fully expect him to honour it. He is not for sale."
I haven't spoken to anyone at the club but you could tell there was a huge tinge of sadness about the message they had to send.
Understandably so. It's not easy to admit to your supporters in a public statement that your best player wants to walk out. To go to China.
Not after all the noises that were made about him wanting to win trophies.
Moving to Manchester United ? Arsenal ? Real Madrid ? Even Chelsea . West Ham fans would probably understand (eventually). But to an 'unnamed' Chinese Premier League club? Give over.
Everyone knows a move to China means one thing: money. It is unfathomable that a player who is at the peak of his powers, at 29, would otherwise wish to abandon the Premier League.
West Ham have emphatically expressed that they will not sell Arnautovic. And the truth is they absolutely will not sell him. Not for €35million. No chance, my old China.
Then again, they said that about Payet. Not for sale. But when proper money 'talks', players who want out will always walk.
Much like Payet was, Arnautovic is completely worshipped by the West Ham faithful. Absolutely adored. We love him.
That's what makes all of this hard so hard to take. Again.
Arnie is pure box office. Like Payet, he is a match-winner. He's the type of player even rival fans would admit to wanting in their team.
And like Payet, he thumps the badge when he scores and crosses his arms like a pair of hammers in apparent show that the feeling of love is mutual. Except it's not.
Now, like Payet, his cult hero status is under threat. When the France star handed in a transfer request, the adoration from West Ham fans burst quicker than a bubble.
Arnautovic hasn't yet applied those measures. But the statement made by his brother-agent Danjiel was as good as one. He wants out.
And so, it is an all-too familiar tale for West Ham fans. We've been here before - and we've been stuck with the T-shirt.
There are discussions on the radio and online as to whether supporters will boo him today during the Arsenal game. Maybe some will. Maybe they won't. We'll see.
Let's be honest, West Ham fans are an unforgiving bunch at the best of times - but believe me we will support him if does the business this afternoon (more so, if he changes his mind and says he wants to stay).
Whatever happens, West Ham desperately need a player of his quality. Not because they will be in any danger of going down. Rather they would risk setting the tone for other key players in future.
With 60,000 supporters set to be at the London Stadium this lunchtime, West Ham know they must be more bold - and more brave - when it comes to wantaway players. The 'not for sale' sign has to stick.
Having spent over £100million last summer, the club's owners showed ambition.
But if West Ham let players like Arnautovic walk
Marko Arnautovic is West Ham's new Dimitri Payet for all the wrong reasons camera iphone 8 plus apk | |
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| Sports | Upload TimePublished on 11 Jan 2019 |
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