West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Marko Arnautovic is training normally with the team and feels he will not refuse to play amidst interest from China.
Arnautovic was the subject of a rejected £35m bid from Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League this month, with the player keen on a move from east London.
However, the Hammers have maintained they are not aiming to cash in on the Austrian during the transfer window this month and face a battle to keep him at the London Stadium.
The 29-year-old’s brother, who also works as his agent, has conceded that Arnautovic is angling for a move to China, amidst serious interest from Shanghai.
In the wake of the rumours surrounding Arnautovic’s future at West Ham, Pellegrini says the striker is training normally with the squad ahead of the meeting with Bournemouth.
“He is working with the team without any problem”, Pellegrini said in a press conference.
“He has a contract here so we will know what happens with that in the coming days.”
The Chilean also admitted that he feels Arnautovic will not follow in the footsteps of former Hammer Dimitri Payet by refusing to play in order to force his way out of the club.
“I don’t think that the player will refuse to play”, he added.
Arnautovic, who has a contract with West Ham that runs until 2022, has netted eight goals across all competitions this term.
