Marko Arnautovic rejected the chance to join Manchester United from Bologna this summer, his agent has sensationally claimed.
The 33-year-old was linked with a surprise move to Old Trafford in August, but United were thought to have backed away from the deal after baulking at his £8m price tag.
There was also significant unrest from United’s supporters over the proposed move, with many feeling that the Austrian was not the right profile of player for manager Erik ten Hag to be targeting.
But those version of events have been questioned by Arnautovic’s agent, Tiziano Pasquali, after he told Sky Italy that it was his client who turned down the opportunity to join United, rather than the Red Devils pulling out of the deal.
“Yes, Juventus and Manchester United had come forward. From [United], we had received a written proposal, and the negotiations had continued even after some contrary opinions from their fans,” Pasquali said.
“But in the end, it was Marko who chose not to drag it out too long and to stay at Bologna. How can you think that he is now in a bad way?”
United did not sign a new centre forward in the end, instead signing winger Antony from Ajax after a lengthy transfer saga, and Ten Hag has opted to use Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo in rotation up front.
Arnautovic, meanwhile, has enjoyed a strong start to the 2022/23 Serie A season, with the former West Ham and Stoke star topping the goalscoring charts alongside Dusan Vlahovic and Ciro Immobile on six goals.
Credit: 90min.com
