Stoke City: 'Marko Arnautovic's future in his hands'

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes has insisted that it is down to Marko Arnautovic whether he remains with the club or not.

The winger has just 12 months left to run on his contract at the Britannia Stadium, but the Potters have offered him an extension to those terms.

However, according to Scholes, the Austrian has so far been reluctant to put pen to paper.

"I would love to appear more knowledgeable than anyone else on this, but the truth is it's in Marko's hands," he told The Sentinel.

"At the moment, the decision he's taken is that he doesn't want to sign yet. We want him to sign. He knows what we are prepared to pay.

"We believe this is the best place for him given the season he's had, but at this moment in time Marko and his agent are biding their time."

Scholes also revealed that Arnautovic's current deal has a release clause, although he did not elaborate on the value.