The domestic soccer circle has been blown up by a transfer rumor recently, as well-known Italian journalist Romano disclosed that Shanghai Harbour's striker Arnautovic has secretly finalized a contract with Serie A powerhouse Bologna, and both sides are about to officially sign. However, before that, Arnaud needs to negotiate with Shanghai Harbor on the termination of his contract, as Bologna does not plan to pay a transfer fee.
According to Romano, Arnautovic has submitted a request for a contract extension to the Shanghai seaport and he is expected to leave the Chinese Super League as a free agent soon. His next stop has been confirmed, with Serie A side Bologna offering Arnaud a three-year working contract. In the summer of 2019, in order to fill the void left by Wu Lei's departure, Shanghai Harbour brought in Austria international Arnautovic from Premier League side West Ham for a transfer fee of €25 million. In his two years with Shanghai Harbour, he played 39 matches, contributing 20 goals and four assists. The Chinese Super League has been closed for the past two seasons due to the epidemic, and many foreigners have left because they can't bear to be separated from their families for a long time, and Arnaud is one of them.
In an interview with Italian media Sky Sports after the Europa League match between Austria and Italy, Arnau confessed that Italy could be the next stop in his career. But Arnau also said that he still has a contract with Shanghai Harbor, so he is still a member of the harbor. Not long ago, Shanghai Harbour team reporter Liu Wenchao has debunked the rumor, responding to the Italian media's widespread reports that Arnau has joined Bologna on a free-agent basis with a response of "no such thing". Five Star Sports also recently consulted with the internal staff of Shanghai Harbor, the club said that Arnau is still a seaport player, as to whether he returns in the future, there is no conclusive answer, everything to the official announcement shall prevail.
On the rumors of Arnau's transfer, SIPG fans don't have too many objections. The general consensus is that it's okay to leave the team, but the transfer fee must be paid, and foreign clubs should not be allowed to develop the habit of "whoring" Chinese Super League foreign aid. How this transfer soap opera will develop is expected.
