Report: West Ham bad boy Arnautovic nearing £22.4M China move

Marko Arnautovic is close to joining Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League for £22.4 million, according to BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

West Ham United have apparently bowed to Arnautovic's wishes to leave the club and believe it's better to allow a potentially disruptive influence to depart rather than stay in the dressing room. The Austrian pursued a big-money switch to China in January but then extended his contract at the London Stadium later in the same month.

A prominent figure at the club reportedly told Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol that manager Manuel Pellegrini, his staff, and players all want Arnautovic to leave. Solhekol explained: "They are so desperate to get him out of the club that they are willing to do a terrible deal to get him out of West Ham."

The capital club is set to travel to China later this month for matches in the non-competitive Premier League Asia Trophy tournament.

Pellegrini is trying to retain and sign players who are committed to his project at West Ham. Pablo Zabaleta inked a new deal with the Hammers at the end of the season, while Pablo Fornals joined from Villarreal for around £24 million last month. Free transfers were also struck this summer for David Martin and Roberto, who will challenge first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for minutes.