Arnautovic Transfer to Rapid Vienna Faces Financial Hurdles
A potential move for veteran striker Marko Arnautovic to Rapid Vienna is increasingly unlikely due to significant financial challenges, according to club officials. The Austrian football community has been closely watching the saga, but the question of affordability remains the central obstacle.
The possibility of bringing the 36-year-old back to Hütteldorf has captivated fans, but the club’s new coach, Peter Stöger, has expressed skepticism. “Marko can of course be on a different salary shelf if he wants to,” Stöger stated in a recent interview on the Rapid website. “So I think it won’t work.”
Season Preparation Unaffected by Transfer Speculation
Despite the ongoing speculation, Stöger insists the uncertainty surrounding Arnautovic’s potential arrival has not disrupted the team’s preparations for the upcoming season. He emphasized the players’ trust in the club’s direction and the existing team structure. “They see that we trust them. They see that the structure is already quite good,” Stöger explained. “I don’t think the team affects it in any form.”
The club is prepared to address recent player departures with aggressive recruitment strategies, but securing Arnautovic appears to be a separate, more complex issue.
Financial Realities Complicate Potential Deal
The primary concern revolves around Arnautovic’s wage demands. During his two-year stint at Inter Milan, where he helped the team win the championship in 2024 and reach the Champions League final in 2025, the Austria international reportedly earned approximately four million euros annually.
Financing such a substantial salary presents a significant hurdle for Rapid Vienna. However, according to Rapid sports director Markus Katzer, the financial considerations are not uniquely challenging. “It is not more difficult than with other transfers to create the financial framework,” Katzer asserted.
Despite Katzer’s confidence, the substantial difference between Arnautovic’s previous earnings and Rapid’s existing wage structure casts doubt on the feasibility of the transfer. The club will need to find a way to bridge this gap if they hope to secure the services of the experienced forward.
