Marko Arnautovic's future at Stoke remains in doubt

Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes has revealed he is still in the dark over Marko Arnautovic's future at the club.

Austrian forward Arnautovic, who joined the Potters for £2m from Werder Bremen in September 2013, has one year remaining on his contract but is reported to have a release clause of £12.5m inserted into that deal.

The 27-year-old has yet to agree a new contract despite protracted talks and he is set to put himself in the shop window this summer when he plays for his country at Euro 2016.

When asked about Arnautovic's future, Scholes told The Sentinel: "I would love to appear more knowledgeable than anyone else on this, but the truth is it's in Marko's hands. And at the moment, the decision he's taken is that he doesn't want to sign yet.

"He's not out of contract for another year, albeit there is a release clause in his contract. We hope he will sign, but as I sit here now I can't give you a definitive answer on that.

"We want him to sign. He knows what we are prepared to pay. We believe this is the best place for him given the season he's had, but at this moment in time Marko and his agent are biding their time."

Arnautovic scored 12 goals in 40 appearances for Stoke last season.