Manchester United target Marko Arnautovic confirms he wants to leave West Ham for ‘top club’ as soon as January
Austrian has said he wants to 'play with the best players', while agent and brother Danijel has said that moving clubs is 'the next step'
MARKO ARNAUTOVIC has stunned West Ham by admitting he wants to LEAVE the club.
The Hammers captain was the top scorer last season, and is seen as the man to keep them safe from a relegation dogfight.
But the former Stoke man has revealed his ambition to play at a higher level, with his agent and brother Danijel admitting he is "ready for the next step".
Speaking to Austrian newspaper , Arnautoivic said: "I’m 29, so that’s the best age.
"It’s clear that I want to compete with the best players.
"But in this affair I totally trust my brother."
Arnautovic's brother helped negotiate his £25million move from Stoke to the Hammers in 2017.
And he could be getting busy with transfer dealings again soon.
He told the Austrian newspaper: "He’s already playing in the Premier League and that’s where the best players are.
“But for a player like Marko this cannot be the end.
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"He’s a big part of West Ham’s team but I think it’s possible to tease out more of him.
"“For that to happen, he has to play for a top team. Marko is ready for the next step.
“A player like him should not play against relegation. He should play for the international spots.
"Marko is really enjoying playing for West Ham. He loves that club and the fans.
Marko Arnautovic's career stats
FC Twente: 59 appearances - 14 goals
Inter Milan: 3 appearances - 0 goals
Werder Bremen: 84 appearances - 16 goals
Stoke: 145 appearances - 26 goals
West Ham: 46 appearances - 16 goals
“But there is still that feeling, that this cannot be the end. And everybody should understand that.”
The Austrian striker is the Hammers' top scorer with five this season - but he could be finding the back of the net for another club as early as January.
Brother Danijel added: "That’s possible. It was already very, very close this last summer.”
Manchester United were linked with the 29-year-old in the summer, and would likely be interested in making their move again.