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By ZAC CAMPBELL Published: 05: 17 AEST, 19 July 2025 | Updated: 05: 32 AEST, 19 July 2025 1 View comments Marko Arnautovic was reportedly extremely close to joining Manchester United in 2022 but was not allowed to leave for the Red Devils, according to his agent. Arnautovic, now 36, was on the cusp of a move to Old Trafford that year but never ended up leaving Bologna, who he was playing for at the time. The Austrian had enjoyed previous fruitful spells at both Stoke City and West Ham United, making him no stranger to English football. However, few had expected for such a big club to come calling for him at the time given he moved from West Ham to Chinese side Shanghai SIPG in 2019. After two years in China, he returned to Europe after signing a deal with Serie A outfit Bologna - and caught the attention of United just a year later. Arnautovic had emerged as a shock target for United as Erik ten Hag looked to strengthen his attack. Marko Arnautovic was extremely close to joining Manchester United in the summer of 2022 However, the Red Devils never ended up signing the Austrian forward in what would have been a cut-price deal United saw Arnautovic as a cut-price option but decided not to meet Bologna's demands for the Austria striker after having an initial £7. 5m bid rejected. However, his brother, who acts as his agent, has now revealed that Bologna would not allow him to leave, according to Football Italia. He said: 'At the time, I had various offers for him. Marko was very, very close to joining Manchester United. 'We had reached an agreement, but Bologna didn't want to let him leave at that time. ' While he opted to stay at Bologna, Arnautovic then joined their Serie A rivals Inter in 2023. He initially spent a season on loan before making his move permanent and playing his part in their run to this season's Champions League final. However, the Austrian now finds himself without a club and is a free agent with the 2025-26 season beginning in a matter of weeks. The former Premier League winger will be hoping to find a new club ahead of next summer's World Cup, which he is likely to feature in should Austria qualify. The team have two wins from two in their World Cup qualifying group and are on course to make the tournament under the guidance of former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick.
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