Transfer Rumour: Chelsea turn to in-form West Ham United marksman Marko Arnautovic

Chelsea are reportedly looking at the possibility of bringing in in-form West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic to Stamford Bridge in January.

According to ESPN, Chelsea are now turning their attention to a player who could have a massive immediate impact, judging by his recent form for West Ham United. Marko Arnautovic has been a revelation under David Moyes and is now a target for Chelsea as the Blues urgently seek reinforcements to bolster their attack.

Another day another forward being linked to Chelsea, this transfer window has been frustrating on so many levels for the defending Premier League champions. But, this could be a masterstroke, with Antonio Conte eyeing a player who is in form and has years of quality service left in his career.

The 28-year-old was once a prodigious talent – a talent that many seemed to be unable to tame before he finally arrived in the Premier League to Stoke City – a team that had assembled quite a few of he prodigious talents that could not make it. And at Stoke, Arnautovic started realising his potential, being the danger man he can be by focusing his energy more towards football.

26 goals and 32 assists in a little over 4 seasons is not great by any means, but it does not do justice to his influence on the pitch, with the player often coming up with crucial goals for Mark Hughes and his Stoke side while also being a continuous thorn for the oppositions, regardless of who they were.

A move to West Ham, a transfer that saw the Hammers make the Austrian the most expensive player for the club in their history, seem to be not turning out great, until a managerial change. David Moyes and his unlikely appointment has set the ball rolling for Arnautovic, who has 6 goals and 3 assists in his last 10 Premier League games, before succumbing to what looks like a nasty hamstring injury.

It is this form that has perhaps caught Chelsea’s attention, who are desperate to add to their attack. Their desperation could be made out with the player they have been linked of late – Peter Crouch, Andy Carroll and Christian Benteke might all have been good targets to pursue in their own time but not at the present state.

Edin Dzeko is another one that has come under the radar and while there are reports of talks being underway between AS Roma and Chelsea for the Bosnian, Arnautovic could, freakishly, be a better option. The player is in some form, as aforementioned, and could fancy a move to a big club in order to finally fulfil what his talent warranted from the beginning.

At 28, the player could easily provide 4-5 years of service to Chelsea, which is not as important as the potential of his immediate impact at the club, should he arrive in January. Chelsea do have Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi – two very good forwards. But, it is form and perhaps, form only that has eluded them in recent weeks, which has seen Chelsea struggle to an extent.

Arnautovic’s arrival could solve that problem. On the other hand, a deal for the Austrian could be hard, with West Ham unlikely to want to part with arguably, their best player on current form. Arnautovic himself, might feel that he is only starting his journey at the London stadium and could wish to stay longer.

Chelsea is a club that should have massive pull in the transfer market. But, frankly, with the players they seem to be targeting, it does not look like the case. Arnautovic or not, one would hope Antonio Conte gets his man in January. The Chelsea fans would hope the arrival is a quality one, one that matches the ambition of the club, the fans and its owner.