Manchester United have pulled out of a deal to sign Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic amid fan backlash and with Bologna standing firm on the price of the 33-year-old.
The Red Devils were interested in bringing the Austrian striker back to the Premier League after spells at West Ham and Stoke City, with the veteran having worked with Erik ten Hag previously.
However, their initial offer of 8m euros was rejected, and the Serie A side repeatedly took the stance that they had no intention of selling their main asset just days ahead of the new Serie A season.
The Italian side’s Sporting director Marco di Vaio told the media that “We want to keep him at Bologna as president said, he’s key part of our project - there’s not even price tag”.
Now, it appears as though a deal is off following a massive fan backlash across social media for racist remarks made previously during Euro 2020.
Additionally, as per the Athletic, ‘Bologna insisted Arnautovic was not for sale during negotiations and the prospective cost of the deal rose, thus reducing its appeal’.
They will now turn their focus to other attacking options, one of which could be PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo, with the Dutchman thought to be available this summer for around £35m.
Rabiot deal nearing closure
Meanwhile, a deal for midfielder Adrien Rabiot is nearing completion, with Manchester United and Juventus in agreement over a £16.8m fee.
Personal terms continue to be discussed, but there is confidence all around that a deal can be completed, adding some much needed bite into the Manchester United midfielde.
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