Report: Arnautovic may stay at West Ham after £36M Chinese offer withdrawn

It seems Marko Arnautovic waving goodbye to the London Stadium crowd may have been somewhat premature.

The West Ham United attacker seemed to bid Hammers fans farewell when he was substituted against Arsenal earlier this month, with widespread reports suggesting he was heading for a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League.

However, The Telegraph's Jason Burt suggests the Austrian could remain in east London as the £36-million proposal from an unnamed Chinese club has been withdrawn.

Burt reports that the club in question is understood to be Shanghai SIPG, who have a recent history of splashing the cash for European-based stars, and Arnautovic had made it clear to teammates and club staff that he was set on the switch to Asia.

Manuel Pellegrini may now have a job on his hands to reintegrate the 29-year-old, having begun to plan for life without the forward. He did not even name Arnautovic on his bench for the 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Arnautovic has three years left to run on his substantial Irons contract but reportedly stood to more than double his salary with a move to China. West Ham previously issued a statement insisting Arnautovic was not for sale, and though Burt suggests they may still consider improved offers, it is understood they would want to have a replacement signed first.