FC Twente have confirmed Chelsea’s interest in Marko Arnautovic but Jose Mourinho’s Inter are also in the equation for the highly-rated forward.
It has been rumoured for a number of days that the 20-year-old is a summer target for the Premier League side and Twente chairman Joop Munsterman has now confirmed the interest from Stamford Bridge.
But after scoring 12 goals and claiming 5 assists in 28 Eredivisie games this season, the Austria international is a wanted man and Serie A champions Inter, amongst other clubs, are also following Arnautovic.
Munsterman admits that should a suitable offer be received, it would be very difficult to hold onto the player who is believed to favour a move to Stamford Bridge.
“We are negotiating with Inter, Chelsea and other clubs,” Munsterman told Voetbal International.
“If they make a formal approach then FC Twente will be too small for Arnautovic.”
Arnautovic played a key role for Twente this season as the Enschede club finished as runners up in both the Eredivisie and the Dutch Cup.
Manager Steve McClaren is determined to hold onto his young forward despite interest from some of Europe’s most prestigious sides.
“Marko is a great talent who certainly has the capability to succeed at the highest level,” McClaren told Algemeen Dagblad.
“But it would be better for him to remain with Twente for another year. Then Marko is assured of a spot in the team and can develop.
“I have told him this but he is now extremely motivated and ambitious.”
Chelsea may hold a trump card in the battle for Arnautovic as Twente currently have Blues defender Slobodan Rajkovic on loan from Stamford Bridge and are believed to be interested in securing a permanent deal.