Marko Arnautovic is at a crossroads as he prepares to lace up his new training boots at Appiano in the coming days. The 35-year-old forward knows that by the end of the month, he might be leaving Inter Milan, and he is entering training with a determination that reflects his awareness of the situation. He needs to show the club his worth, especially considering his struggles last season, where he netted seven goals but also missed crucial chances, including a key opportunity against Atletico Madrid.
Once a significant player for Inter, Arnautovic now finds himself as the club’s fourth-choice striker. He is on a hefty contract worth €6.5 million per year, which runs until 2025, but so far there have been no offers for his services. With few options on the table and his advancing age, market interest has stalled. Despite being Austria’s second-highest scorer with 37 international goals — trailing only Toni Polster — his current form with the club leaves much to be desired.
Recently returning to Milan, Arnautovic had to miss training due to illness but is expected to rejoin the squad in the coming days. He is caught in a delicate balance; either contributing as a backup or departing the club after just one year. His exit could open opportunities for other forwards. Lautaro Martinez’s teammate, Joaquin Correa, appears to be on the way out as well, but he too is without solid offers at the moment. Meanwhile, Valentin Carboni has garnered interest from Marseille, who are considering a loan with an option to buy.
Inter is also exploring other striking options. Memphis Depay, recently released after a season with Atletico that saw him score nine goals, has been linked to the club. He carries significant demand for a €5 million salary, which Inter considers too much. Another name of interest is Albert Gudmundsson from Genoa, although the club is reluctant to let him go, especially amid ongoing legal issues.
For now, the fate of Arnautovic seems to be the piece that needs to fall for the dominoes to begin shifting in the Inter forward line. His next steps might determine how the club reshapes its attacking options moving forward.