West Ham confirm Marko Arnautovic departs for Shanghai SIPG in £23million transfer deal

WEST HAM have confirmed Marko Arnautovic has departed for Shanghai SIPG.

The striker has moved to China in a £23million deal after burning his bridges at the East London club.

Arnautovic has passed his medical and he is now set to sign a long-term contract worth a staggering £280,000-a-week.

The club were annoyed at the nature of his departure as was suggested in the short statement on their website.

The Hammers said: "West Ham United can confirm that Marko Arnautovic has joined Chinese Super League champions Shanghai SIPG for an undisclosed fee.

"The 30-year-old Austrian departs after two seasons at London Stadium, during which he scored 22 goals in 65 appearances in claret and blue."

West Ham were initially reluctant to sell the Austria international but it soon became clear that he had fallen out with staff and players alike, forcing the Hammers to accepting the low bid from Shanghai.

He left Stoke for £24m in 2017 and only signed a new contract at West Ham in January, but still forced a move.

SEE YA

However, things are looking up for fans of the capital side.

It’s reckoned West Ham have now met the £44.85m release clause of Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez.

He is rated as one of the top young forwards in the game after scoring 30 goals in just two La Liga seasons.

Manuel Pellegrini wants Gomez to link up with current club-record signing Felipe Anderson and new arrival Pablo Fornals.

He believes the three of them can help West Ham qualify for Europe next season, with more signings to come.