Marko Arnautovic has hinted that he is ready to leave West Ham and ‘compete with the best players’.

The forward signed for the Hammers in a £24million move from Stoke in July 2017 and put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the London Stadium.

However, Arnautovic, whose brother Danijel is also his agent, has admitted he would like to play at a higher level.

‘I’m 29, so that’s the best age,’ he told Austrian newspaper Kurier.

‘It’s clear that I want to compete with the best players. But in this affair, I totally trust my brother.’

Arnautovic was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford after enjoying a brilliant debut season for West Ham last campaign.

Danijel has echoed Arnautovic’s thoughts by saying his brother has more to offer.

‘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,’ Danijel said.

‘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.’

Danijel also admitted Arnautovic was ‘very, very close’ to departing West Ham in the summer.

The Austrian forward has made 11 appearances for the Hammers this season, in which he has scored five goals and provided one assist.