West Ham fans have had to deal with many players leaving the club in less than ideal ways. Whether it is due to players wanting more money, wanting trophies or simply wanting to play for better teams. But which players have caused the most heartbreak to Hammers fans?
Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic has signalled that he could potentially be open to a return to West Ham United. The Austrian caused West Ham fans a huge amount of heartbreak when he became a top performer, before leaving the club for the riches of China.
The converted striker became a key member for West Ham during David Moyes’ first stint in charge. Arguably West Ham secured Premier League survival that season due to Arnautovic’s goals. The thirty-year-old scored twenty-two goals and assisted a further twelve in only 66 appearances for the Hammers, this is one of the best returns the Hammers have had from a player in recent times.
Arnautovic left West Ham after a long and difficult few months. This time included him going on strike and refusing to play in the January Transfer Window following interest from Chinese clubs. This was resolved by him signing a huge bumper new deal at the club which people would be the end of the saga. This would not be the end as Arnautovic finally left the club in the summer of 2019 after going on strike again.
The departure left a massive hole up front for West Ham. This hole has not been fixed, despite the arrival of £45 million striker Sebastian Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Hammers have been battling relegation since Arnautovic left and Haller has been in desperate need of a striker partner. To cause more aggrievance many believe that Arnautovic would have been a perfect partner to Haller.