The cold hard truth about Tomas Soucek’s West Ham future has now been laid bare, as a journalist reveals what the club have told rival suitors Leeds and Everton.
Hammers News exclusive
With Everton and Leeds United circling for Tomas Soucek, the Hammers’ stance has been revealed as the situation takes a major twist.
Graham Potter has proved he is not afraid to make tough and ruthless decisions at West Ham.
Last week it was announced, on Potter’s say-so, that the Hammers were releasing long-serving trio Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski and Vladimir Coufal.
Right-back Coufal has already been linked with both Leeds and Everton.
But he’s not the only West Ham star who has been interesting David Moyes and Daniel Farke with Soucek firmly in the sights of both Everton and Leeds.
Leeds and Everton prepare bids for West Ham star Soucek
While West Ham have made it clear the club is at the limit in terms of PSR, both Leeds and Everton have publicly stated they will have plenty to spend this summer.
The Hammers must sell players to fund Potter’s rebuild.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
And captain Jarrod Bowen is the only player West Ham are ruling out selling.
When Moyes returned to Everton, it was somewhat inevitable he might come for Soucek and Coufal given he has always named them as two of his best ever signings, at any of his clubs.
Soucek scored his ninth goal of the season for West Ham in a 2-0 win at Man United last time out.
It served to underline just how important the towering Czech remains for the team more than five years since signing from Slavia Prague for a bargain £15m.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
But Soucek has had to fight his way back into the West Ham starting XI recently after being frozen out by Potter, the first time that has happened to him since he was brought to the club by Moyes back in January 2020.
Soucek is a big fan favourite at West Ham.
So there was shock when it was claimed Potter is pushing to sell him amid interest from Everton and Leeds.
Potter is said to have increasing doubts about the 30-year-old’s energy levels in midfield as he looks to revolutionise the way West Ham play with a summer overhaul.
Some supporters have been incredulous at the prospect of the club offloading ‘Super Tom’ – especially to a club like Everton or Leeds, who will likely be rivalling West Ham for league position next term.
What West Ham have now told Leeds and Everton about Soucek
Now the cold hard Soucek truth has been revealed as a journalist lifts the lid on what West Ham have told Leeds and Everton.
In an astonishing update, football correspondent Graeme Bailey has outlined the current state of play.
And it doesn’t look good for West Ham fans who are desperate to see Soucek stay.
It also may not bode well for Everton or Leeds – because they are far from alone in wanting Soucek.
Bailey, who was among the first to reveal West Ham will consider selling Soucek this summer, has told Hammers News he thinks the club are about to make a decision they will seriously regret.
Because West Ham have made it clear to Soucek and the interested clubs – which are not limited to Leeds and the Toffees – that he is indeed for sale.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Hammers about to make Soucek decision they’ll regret, says journalist
“It’s more than Leeds and Everton now – up to five teams in talks – and it’s potentially bigger than them (Leeds and Everton) too,” Bailey told Hammers News.
“Tomas Soucek is going to be one of the big sales West Ham are planning on this summer.
“We have seen the likes of Everton and Leeds linked, but I know that interest is mounting. Nearly half-a-dozen rivals are now keen.
“I am told he will be staying in England when he does leave and he is going to have his pick of clubs.
“Personally, I think West Ham are going to regret letting Soucek go – replacing his near 10 goals a season is going to be nearly impossible.”
While Soucek has had his smattering of critics among the Hammers fanbase in recent seasons, they have been in the minority.
So Bailey’s verdict will chime with most West Ham supporters who have also been pointing out just how important Soucek’s contribution – both in terms of goals and selfless work for the team – has been to keeping the club in the Premier League.
West Ham insisted they have a plan in place this summer with targets lined up.
The club even stated those involved in the transfer planning are ‘excited by the challenge’.
Fans will just be hoping the Hammers know what they are doing if they do sanction the sale of Soucek.
Because it is a huge gamble to take. Especially off the back of losing so many big characters and leaders in successive summers from Mark Noble to Declan Rice, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and now Cresswell, Fabianski and Coufal.