Marko Arnautovic had enjoyed six seasons of Premier League football before Manchester United came in for him after a successful spell at Bologna, but the Austrian rejected a move to Old Trafford
Marko Arnautovic already admitted he was subject to numerous overtures from Manchester United - but decided to decline an offer to join the Premier League giants. The Inter Milan forward is gearing up for the Champions League final on Saturday, where the Italian giants take on Paris Saint-Germain.
A win for the Nerazzurri would see Arnautovic capture his second UCL medal with the Serie A side, having been part of their last triumph in the competition in the 2009/10 season.
The Austria international played just three times during his first stint with Inter but made a name for himself during his four-year spell with Stoke City.
His performances led him to a move to West Ham, where he hit double digits in goals in both seasons he spent in London before earning a big-money transfer to Chinese side Shanghai Port.
A return to Italy beckoned in 2021 with Bologna as Arnautovic, who was 33 at the time, enjoyed a career-best season with 14 goals in 33 games before following that up with 10 goals in 22 games in his second campaign.
With that came summer interest from United, who had just appointed Erik ten Hag. Reports of the forward potentially arriving at Old Trafford weren't well received by sections of fans, with the club then reportedly pulling out due to the feedback they received despite tabling a bid worth £7.6 million.
However, Arnautovic's agent set the record straight and claimed that it was his player who turned down a move to United, with the forward himself backing up the story in 2022. "Manchester United tried to sign me several times," Arnautovic told Laola1. "And it was a difficult decision to stay in Italy because my family wanted to return to England.
"For me, it’s clear that the Red Devils remain at the top of the universe. And Bologna, as a name, are not. But that’s fine. Here everything is calm, you have time for yourself and no stress. This is only good for me."
The interest in signing the forward was due to the possible departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was said to have wanted to depart Old Trafford after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
While the Portuguese legend remained in Manchester beyond the summer, his relationship with Ten Hag deteriorated, leading to the striker conducting a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan in which he slammed his then-manager.
"He doesn't respect [me] the way I should deserve [to be respected]," the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said of the Dutchman. "But it is what it is. This is why probably, the game against Tottenham, I left.
"Excuses, I see as excuses. I saw many things that, I don't want to criticise him. He can have [a] different opinion than me. They choose the players that they think is better for the team. I respect that but excuses all the time you know; the excuses have short legs, cannot excuse all the time, which is things that don't make sense."
Ronaldo eventually left for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January 2023 after his United contract was ripped up shortly after his interview. Fast-forward two years, and the 40-year-old's time in the Middle East looks to be coming to an end after a social media post sparked doubts over his future.
After Al-Nassr's last game of the season, where they lost 3-2 to Al-Fateh, Ronaldo posted a snap of himself on the pitch with a caption that read: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."