Chelsea consider move for West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic

Chelsea are considering a shock move for West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic as they look to land a new striker before the transfer window closes, sources close to the London club have told ESPN FC.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to bring in a 'target man' style forward this month and the Austria international is the latest player to emerge on Chelsea's radar.

Arnautovic, 28, who joined West Ham last summer from Stoke for around £25 million, has scored six goals and created three assists in his last eight Premier League games since being switched to a more central attacking role by David Moyes.

The Blues have been linked with big forwards such as Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, Christian Benteke and Edin Dzeko in recent weeks, but so far have been unable to land any of their targets,

Chelsea remain in talks with Roma over a possible double deal for Dzeko and left-back Emerson Palmieri, while sources have told ESPN FC that the Blues are confident of striking a deal in the region of €50m (£44m) for the pair.

Conte is looking to ease the goal-scoring burden on Alvaro Morata who is enduring a slump in form in front of goal, while Michy Batshuayi has still to convince the Chelsea boss and could be loaned out this month if a new player arrives.

Source: www.espnfc.com