Pellegrini vetoed Obiang move, says agent

  • by Staff Writer
  • Thursday, 17th January 2019

Pedro Obiang's potential move to Fiorentina was cancelled as a result of the indecision regarding Marko Arnautovic, according to an agent involved in the deal.

Giulio Meozzi was charged by West Ham to act as an intermediary between the two clubs following the Serie A side's interst and ensuing €11million offer.

However Obiang's potential transfer was cancelled by Manuel Pellegrini, according to Meozzi, as a result of the ongoing situation regarding Arnautovic and his potential move to China.

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"West Ham had said the player could be sold for €11million," said Meozzi, speaking to Tutto Mercato. "There's no doubt about it. The president then removed him from the market after the sale of Arnautovic to China was approaching.

"In reality, the president had been convinced to let Obiang go himself, but it was the coach, Pellegrini, who opposed it.

"The figure offered by Fiorentina was right and correct. It was made just before Pellegrini blew up the operation. It is no coincidence that West Ham have made it known that the player was not for sale and not that the amount offered was not adequate."

Arnautovic, like Obiang remains a West Ham player as Shanghai SIPG, who last week launched a £35million bid to sign the Austrian, are yet to increase their bid despite having been told to come back with a vastly improved offer.

West Ham have told Shanghai that they will not consider offers lower than £50million for Arnautovic, despite having explored the possibility of signing Celta Vigo's highly-rated Maxi Gomez as a potential replacement.

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