Manchester United have pulled out of a move for Marko Arnautovic, according to The Athletic.
Bologna rejected an 8 million euro (£6.8 million, $8.1 million) bid for the forward at the weekend and a better offer was expected. But United have now decided not to continue the search.
United are understood to have received a number of complaints from fans about the club’s idea of signing the 33-year-old.
There were allegations that the former West Ham United and Stoke City player used an anti-Albanian slur during Austria’s match against North Macedonia at Euro 2020. UEFA issued a one-match ban as punishment and United supporters emailed the club asking for the matter to be considered. .
Michael Damevski, who is of North Macedonian descent, wrote to United to question how signing Arnautovic would fit with the club’s zero-tolerance approach to racism. A member of staff at the club responded by saying that Damevski’s concerns had been noted.
Several fans also emailed executive director Richard Arnold directly.
Arnautovic insisted he was not racist in a post on social media after that Euro game. He also denied allegations in 2009 that he racially abused an opponent while playing for FC Twente.
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Erik ten Hag wanted Arnautovic as a cut-price option to bolster his attacking options before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.
Arnautovic previously worked with Ten Hag and United assistant manager Steve McClaren during his time at Twente.
He scored 43 goals and provided 33 assists in 184 Premier League appearances for West Ham and Stoke before joining Shanghai SIPG.
The forward returned to Europe last season joining Italian side Bologna on a two-year deal, scoring 14 goals in 33 La Liga appearances.
But Bologna insisted Arnautovic was not for sale during negotiations and the potential cost of the deal increased, reducing his appeal.
Red Bull Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko, a player United have been in talks with, has also been confirmed to join RB Leipzig next summer.
United will now turn their attention to other attacking targets.
The club are closing in on a deal for midfielder Adrien Rabiot. United are in talks with Juventus over the 27-year-old with the hope of reaching a full deal for a fee of €20 million (£16.8 million, $20.4 million) .
Rabiot has been on United’s shortlist all summer and gained the full backing of Ten Hag after being put forward by United’s recruitment team. The France international is seen as a player to add quality to United’s midfield and talks are due with his mother Veronique, who is his agent.
The arrival of Rabiot would not mark the end of United’s bid for Frenkie de Jong, but as the situation with Barcelona drags on, Ten Hag has sanctioned the signing of an alternative midfielder.
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