Marko Arnautovic: Man Utd have £7.6m bid for former West Ham and Stoke forward rejected by Bologna

08.08.2022, 02:03 skysports.com

Manchester United have had a bid of around €9m (£7.6m) for Marko Arnautovic rejected by Bologna, according to Sky Italy. United are keen on bringing the former West Ham and Stoke forward, who scored 43 goals in the Premier League, back to England. Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia have been signed in defence along with midfielder Christian Eriksen already this summer, but Erik ten Hag has been unable to strengthen his front line yet. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player With Anthony Martial currently injured and concerns over Cristiano Ronaldo's future, United are looking for more options up front. They remain interested in RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko, but there is a feeling it is a difficult deal to do. Ten Hag is therefore keen on signing Arnautovic, who can play out wide or through the middle. The Dutchman was asked about the 33-year-old following Sunday's 2-1 defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford, in what was the United manager's first competitive game in charge. "I don't go into names because I think in this pre-season 250 players are involved or linked with Manchester United, so that's it," he said. "We have two strikers, maybe a third one, with Marcus Rashford as well. Transfer Centre LIVE! Papers - latest headlines Download the Sky Sports App Get Sky Sports "We considered him as a striker but he had a really good pre-season on the left side and today he had two really good chances coming in from the left side. "So I think it was the right decision to do it like this. But the typical No 9 wasn't available today." After spending two years in China with Shanghai Port, Arnautovic returned to Europe last year and has scored 15 goals in 34 games for Bologna. United's interest in the Austrian could be explained by his previous connection to Steve McClaren, who is one of Ten Hag's assistants at Old Trafford. Arnautovic was playing for FC Twente when McClaren took charge of the Eredivisie club in the summer of 2008 and became a regular in the side. Ten Hag also spent time as McClaren's No 2 in the Netherlands. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Asked about Manchester United's bid for Arnautovic on Super Sunday, Gary Neville said he was not surprised and admits deals like this are becoming a "pattern" for his former side. "The first thing you do when the phone rings from Manchester United is reject the bid, because the reality of it is after losing that game against Brighton on Sunday, they're actually negotiating from an even worse position than they were on Saturday, and that's an even bigger problem for them," Neville said. "I've got a comment on everything in the world, apart from Manchester United signing Marko Arnautovic. I've got nothing to say. "We've seen Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo - desperate, it's a pattern. It's happening time and time again. I don't even get angry or animated about it anymore. I'm not going to comment about it." Micah Richards added: "What has happened to Manchester United, seriously? I'm not going to stick the boot in. Arnautovic was a quality player, but he's 33 playing in Italy." Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Old Trafford: Erik ten Hag's first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United ended in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford. Supporters had come in the hope of seeing some progress under the new coach but it was old failings that proved the difference instead... Read the full feature here Erik ten Hag's Manchester United failed to take shape as Brighton outplayed them at Old Trafford. What did we learn? Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1? Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News. Super 6 is back, bigger and better than ever with a ONE MILLION POUND jackpot. Play for free.