According to ESPN FC, Chelsea are considering a move for West Ham United forward Marko Arnautovic in the latter stages of the January transfer window.

What's the story?

Chelsea's search for a striker this month has been very interesting indeed. Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes are among those that have been linked with the Blues.

Michy Batshuayi cannot be feeling terrific about himself at the moment, but there is little doubting that Chelsea need competition for Alvaro Morata in the final third of the field.

According to ESPN FC, Chelsea have now switched their attention to Arnautovic, with the Premier League champions eyeing a move for the West Ham attacker in the latter stages of the winter window.

Roma are believed to be playing hardball when it comes to the future of Edin Dzeko, and it appears that Arnautovic could make the switch across London in what would be a shock move.

Would Arnautovic fit in at Chelsea?

As West Ham supporters have seen in recent weeks, Arnautovic is a terrific footballer.

The 28-year-old, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has scored six Premier League goals in his last eight appearances for the Hammers.

The Austrian international has formed a very successful partnership with Manuel Lanzini in the final third, and his personality has made him a favourite with the West Ham fans.

Chelsea are Chelsea though, and it would be very difficult for the attacker to turn down a move to a team that have won the Premier League in two of the last three seasons.

It would mean Arnautovic leaving the club that he joined from Stoke City last summer, but he would have the chance to play in the Champions League, as well as receive a healthy wage packet for his troubles.

It is a very interesting story to come out of Chelsea this week, and it will be fascinating to see whether this particular deal looks like being completed in the final days of the January window.

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