Transfer Centre

Marko Arnautovic agent confirms offer from "well-known" club

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 August 2022

The agent and brother of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic confirms that a bid has been tabled from a "well-known club" amid rumours of interest from Manchester United.

The agent and brother of Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic has confirmed that an offer has been tabled from a "well-known club" amid speculation over a move to Manchester United.

The Red Devils are facing continued uncertainty surrounding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still determined to leave the club before the transfer window closes.

The 37-year-old was only brought off the bench in Sunday's opening 2-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, even with Anthony Martial out through injury.

Christian Eriksen started as a false nine at Old Trafford in a move which did not pay dividends for the Red Devils, who could therefore try to sign a new striker in the coming weeks.

A shock move for former Stoke City and West Ham United attacker Arnautovic has been mooted, and a bid of £6.8m has supposedly already been rejected by the Rossoblu.

Austria's Marko Arnautovic celebrates scoring against North Macedonia at Euro 2020 on June 13, 2021 © Reuters

Arnautovic's brother and agent Danijel Arnautovic has now revealed that an offer from a prominent club is on the cards, and he is hoping to convince Bologna to "realise" the opportunity that could await the striker.

"It's true that there's a bid from a well-known club. I'm in contact with Bologna to see if that can be realised," Danijel Arnautovic told Kurier Sport.

Man United manager Ten Hag was questioned on the links with the Austria international after Sunday's loss to Brighton, but the Dutchman was understandably in no mood to discuss the possibility of a transfer.

"I don't go into names and I think in this pre-season 250 players are involved or linked with us. So that's it." Ten Hag said in his post-game press conference.

Arnautovic - now 33 - previously struck 43 goals and set up 37 more in 184 Premier League appearances for West Ham United and Stoke City before a brief spell in China with Shanghai SIPG.

Austria manager Franco Foda and Marko Arnautovic on June 6, 2021 © Reuters

The Austrian returned to Europe last year to register 15 goals and one assist in 34 appearances for Bologna across all tournaments last season, with 14 of his strikes coming in Serie A.

Arnautovic only has two years left to run on his contract with the Rossoblu, but the club do possess the option to extend his stay until the summer of 2025.

Man United are also continuing their desperate hunt for midfield reinforcements and are said to have agreed a deal to bring Adrien Rabiot to the club from Juventus.

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is still resisting a move to Old Trafford, but La Blaugrana are allegedly threatening to launch legal action over the contract extension he signed in 2020 amid their bitter dispute over his deferred wages.