Manchester United have £7.2m bid for Marko Arnautovic rejected by Bologna

Manchester United have reportedly had an €8.5 (£7.2m) bid rejected by Bologna for striker Marko Arnautovic.

United manager Erik ten Hag is in the market for reinforcements in attack as the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future continues.

Former West Ham forward Arnautovic represents a potentially cheaper option for Ten Hag to bolster his squad but United have had an initial bid turned down by his current club Bologna, according to The Telegraph.

United have had a bid rejected for Bologna striker Arnautovic (Image: Alamy)

The 33-year-old worked with Ten Hag and his current assistant Steve McClaren at FC Twente and is believed to have a good relationship with the pair.

Arnautovic is said to be "extremely keen" to join United and is "considering asking the Italian club to allow him to leave".

Ten Hag's limited options up front were exposed on Sunday as the Red Devils were beaten 2-1 by Brighton in their opening match of the new Premier League season.

With Anthony Martial currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and Mason Greenwood indefinitely suspended, United started the match with Christian Eriksen playing in a 'false nine' role at the top of the pitch.

Arnautovic has previously played for Stoke City and West Ham (Image: Alamy)

Ronaldo, who handed in a transfer request last month, started the match on the bench after missing the majority of United’s pre-season.

He was brought on in the second half but was unable to inspire the Red Devils to victory, as a brace from Pascal Gross secured Brighton their first ever win at Old Trafford.

Arnautovic scored 14 times in Serie A last season and still has two years left on his current contract with Bologna.

Ten Hag is keen to bolster his squad as the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's future continues (Image: Alamy)

The striker possesses a wealth of Premier League experience, having previously played for Stoke City and West Ham.

He has also enjoyed spells at Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port, who he joined from the Hammers in 2019.

Arnautovic has also made 102 appearances for the Austrian national side, scoring 33 times.