Bologna coach Thiago Motta seemed to hint at Milan’s interest in signing Marko Arnautovic, talking about a ‘great opportunity’ for the Austrian veteran.
Recent media reports have detailed the Rossoneri’s serious interest in the 34-year-old striker and suggested that the two parties are already in close contact ahead of the summer transfer window.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the path to retirement and Divock Origi not finding his footing, Milan have been forced to heavily rely on Olivier Giroud, pushing them to look for a new low-cost striker in the summer.
Speaking in a press conference via Calciomercato.com today, Thiago Motta was asked about Arnautovic’s fitness and future at Bologna.
“I have already made the choice for Saturday, you will see it. Marko, like everyone else, plays when he’s fit, if he can be useful to the team. You’ve talked a lot about him, you’ve already put him in other teams while we’re thinking about Cremonese.
“We have no personal problems, they are only technical choices, it’s only because of what I see on the pitch and they are choices for the good of Bologna.
“If teams should arrive for Arna, who is 34 years old, teams aiming or playing in Europe, I think it would be right for him to have a great opportunity to play there. In any case, if he is fit and is useful for the team he plays, full stop.”
The 34-year-old Arnautovic has performed well at Bologna but not developed a strong relationship with Thiago Motta. He has scored eight league goals this season for the Rossoblu, but six of them came under previous coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.
Last season, Arnautovic scored 14 goals in 33 Serie A appearances for Bologna, including goals against Juventus and Inter.