Marko Arnautovic must aim higher than West Ham and reach his potential in the Champions League rather than relegation battles, says the forward's agent and brother Danijel.

The Austrian has spent over five years in the Premier League without European competition, having previously featured in both the Champions League the Uefa Cup with both Twente and Werder Bremen.

Arnautovic is keen to test himself at a tougher level, having become a key player at West Ham since arriving last summer, as he turns 30 before the end of the season.

"I'm 29, so that's the best age," he told the Austrian newspaper Kurier. "It's clear that I want to compete with the best players. But in this affair I totally trust my brother."

The Austrian arrived for a then-club-record fee of £20million from Stoke City in 2017, and his brother said a summer exit almost happened amid reports Manchester United were interested.

"[An exit] is possible. It was already very, very close this last summer," he said.

He added: "He's already playing in the Premier League and that's where the best players are. But for a player like Marko this cannot be the end.

"He's a big part of West Ham's team but I think it's possible to tease out more of him. For that to happen, he has to play for a top team.

"Marko is ready for the next step. A player like him should not play against relegation. He should play for the international spots.

"Marko is really enjoying playing for West Ham. He loves that club and the fans. But there is still that feeling, that this cannot be the end. And everybody should understand that."