Marko Arnautovic appears to be deep in thought, reminiscent of Rodin’s “The Thinker”. Since returning to Appiano, he has been contemplating his future and what lies ahead for him in football. Currently, he finds himself as the fourth striker in the pecking order. Ahead of him are Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and Mehdi Taremi, who was signed on a free transfer. The Iranian striker quickly established himself by performing exceptionally well during preseason training.
Arnautovic recently returned from holiday following the European Championship and is set to participate in an upcoming friendly match against Pisa, but he carries the ongoing uncertainty about his future like a “sword of Damocles.” The situation is complex. At this moment, he has no offers on the table. As he approaches his 36th birthday, he commands a salary of €3.5 million per season, and he finished last season with 7 goals in 34 appearances.
While technically he remains the same dynamic and influential player, as evidenced by his leadership with the Austrian national team, his economic impact weighs heavily on potential deals. Given his high salary, finding a new club for him has proven difficult, especially with a contract that runs until 2025. A loan deal with an obligation to buy is not a viable option at this time. Over the next few days, there will be a crucial meeting with the club’s top executives to determine the next steps. So far, intersport chief Beppe Marotta and sporting director Piero Ausilio have not considered selling him. However, if Arnautovic pushes for a move, the dynamics could change. Nonetheless, there is no intention of a confrontation; he remains the fourth striker under coach Simone Inzaghi.
The situation is delicate. Joaquin Correa is certain to depart. Although he has participated in three friendlies so far, he is not part of the club’s plans moving forward. Last year, he was not acquired permanently by Marseille after a disappointing season, and now he is attracting interest from Greece (AEK Athens) and Saudi Arabia, although nothing concrete has emerged yet.
Arnautovic may continue as the fourth striker, but if the club opts to invest in another attacker—Gudmundsson remains the preferred target—it is likely that Marko would bid farewell. The upcoming discussions with the club executives will be crucial. In the meantime, Arnautovic continues to reflect on his future, weighing his options as the season approaches.
