West Ham will accept, but not love, Marko Arnautovic

West Ham and Marko Arnautovic are likely to be still together after January ends. But the relationship is going to be a little frosty.

Like any relationship that goes through a rough patch, West Ham and Arnautovic might not be the same after January. Arnie wanted a move, but due to the legalities of actually having a contract at the club, the club decides when that happens. So far no bid has been made that meets Arnie’s value to us.

So it seems likely that both parties will have to deal with a strange situation. A player who was a fan favourite playing for the team despite publicly saying he wants out. And I think Hammers fans will get over the issue, but I don’t think they’ll ever feel the same way again.

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I don’t think there are many people in the world that would resent a player, or any professional, leaving to make more money. It’s how most people pick the career they’re in or at least where they take the job. But there was a manner to doing it that has rubbed the Hammers faithful up the wrong way, and that isn’t going to go away.

When Arnie was performing his best for us we saw him kiss the badge, cross the irons symbold and perform in his own wonderful way. But now I expect him to be business like. Turning up, trying to score to secure his move away. The result may be the same, in the fact he is obviously a good player, but he’s just not going to get the same emotions out of the fans as he used to. It’s like a jilted lover, you can’t expect them to give as deeply as they did before you betrayed that trust.

So we’re going to be locked in what is essentially a loveless relationship with Arnautovic unti lthe end of the season. All because his brother wants a bit more money from freeloading off a more talented person’s career. Oh well, but if Arnie’s value has fallen by the summer, they can’t expect the club to let them go for nothing. That could be a whole new issue for that window…