Marko Arnautovic has told West Ham United he wants to move to China this month – with the club immediately responding by issuing a statement that the striker “is not for sale”.

West Ham have rejected a £35 million bid from a Chinese Super League club, believed to be the champions Shanghai SIPG, for the 29-year-old Austrian international.

Arnautovic’s brother, Danijel, has issued a statement claiming that West Ham bought him for “peanuts” and should let him leave.

“West Ham bought Marko for peanuts. They paid £20 million for him, which is nothing in the current market,” he said.

“They bought him to keep them in the Premier League last season and he did that. He took every award at the club: best player, signing of the season and the player’s award.

“Now West Ham have a fantastic offer. It is close to double what they paid for him. He wants to go to a new market and challenge for titles. This is what he wants. It is his great desire that West Ham accept the offer from China.”

The statement, issued to the radio station Talksport, went on: “He knows the West Ham fans love him and he has a special connection with them, but things move on, this is the world of sport, and he hopes they can understand. Marko is professional and is preparing himself for the Arsenal game. He will give 100 per cent for West Ham. That is Marko. He will never change. Until he is no longer a West Ham player, he will give everything to the club. He hopes the fans can respect his wishes.”