Arnautović: Is he moving to Rapid Vienna? Excitement in the football summer!

Arnautović: Is he moving to Rapid Vienna? Excitement in the football summer!

Marko Arnautović, the Austrian soccer star, is facing a decisive transition in his career. After saying goodbye to Inter Milan, a club that recently played in the Champions League final, the 36-year-old is looking for a new challenge. And Rapid Vienna has shown great interest in getting the Austrian involved. In a first round of discussions between Rapid and Arnautovic's management, it was already explored whether collaboration was possible. According to Die Presse, a move to Rapid would be a “win-win situation” not only for the club, but also for the player.

The Green-Whites' sporting management sees Arnautović as a potential striker with leadership qualities who could replace Guido Burgstaller. However, the decision about Arnautović's new club remains uncertain. In particular, the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico influences the importance of such club changes in this transfer window. Arnautović has already secured his place in the Austrian national team under team boss Ralf Rangnick, but needs more match practice.

Financial hurdles and international competition

Despite the desired commitment, Rapid Vienna has to overcome some hurdles. Financial aspects play an important role because the club can only afford Arnautović if he is willing to forego part of his salary. Last season, Arnautović scored seven goals in 28 games, showing that he can still play at a high level despite his age. He was also successful in the ÖFB team, where he scored two goals in a game against San Marino.

But Rapid is not the only option for the experienced striker. In addition to the traditional club, there are inquiries from Turkey, such as Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, as well as from clubs from Italy and the desert states. The latter often have a certain financial clout that could attract Arnautović. Still, he is currently less likely to consider a move to the Gulf States.

The personal touch

Arnautović is looked after by his brother Danijel, who plays an important role in the negotiations. The dynamic between the two could be crucial for establishing a radius on the transfer market. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether Rapid Vienna will actually be able to sign Arnautović and thus add a player with so much experience and talent to their ranks.

Football fans in Austria are following the developments with interest, because a transfer could not only strengthen the Rapid Vienna squad, but also revitalize the entire league. The drama surrounding Arnautović has already become a topic of conversation and could become even more explosive in the coming weeks. The tension is increasing and only time will tell where the striker's path will ultimately lead.