Former West Ham manager David Moyes says Marko Arnautovic has the ability to play for a top four side.
The Austrian, who hobbled off in the final stages of the Hammers’ defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, spent the international break denying rumours of a January exit after his brother, and agent, said it may be time for him to move to a Champions League club.
Arnautovic had not scored a goal following his then club record move to West Ham until Moyes arrived and pushed him from a wide role to lead the line. In his central position the forward – linked with Manchester United last week – bagged 11 goals and won Player of the Year for his performances in the second half of the season.
And Moyes, who was replaced by Manuel Pellegrini come the end of his contract in the summer, says he could still play for one of the Premier League’s top sides.
"The big thing for Marko is the change from being a winger to a striker has really reinvented him,” the Scotsman told Talksport.
"When we arrived at West Ham the punters weren't having him, thought he wasn't running around but the minute he's gone to centre forward he's been a revelation.
"It was always the thing questioned about Marko, did he run or what was his attitude like? We found him great to work with.
"He's good enough, he could play in the top four because he's got the ability and he could play with the top players - he considers himself a top player.”
Moyes added: "You've got to remember, he's already been at the likes of Inter Milan before, but what he needs to do is he needs to score, last season he was scoring regularly and taking his opportunities, from what I've seen this season he's not taken as many."
