Tomas Soucek’s future at West Ham has been increasingly uncertain with Everton eyeing a move for the midfielder – but now there has been a major development and Graham Potter must act.
The subject of Tomas Soucek is a very prickly one at West Ham United amid particular interest from Everton and the man who brought him to England, David Moyes.
In a Hammers News exclusive last month, football correspondent Graeme Bailey confirmed West Ham are open to selling Soucek.
It was also revealed there is not only interest from Everton, but Leeds and a number of other Premier League sides too.
Moyes has confirmed he has money to spend as Everton head into a new era at their stunning Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.
Moyes has been plotting Soucek reunion at Everton
For the Scot’s former club, the situation is quite different.
The Hammers claim they are at their PSR limit. And that, it is reported, means Graham Potter is willing to sacrifice Soucek to Everton or other interested parties to raise funds in order to reshape the team in his image.
Potter has made it clear he intends to overhaul the West Ham team around young, dynamic players.
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Few Hammers players did much to convince the manager otherwise with just five wins in his 19 games in charge.
Everton overhauled a nine-point gap on West Ham to finish above them after Potter and Moyes took over a day apart in January.
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
A site with close ties to Hammers majority owner David Sullivan stated Potter is open to selling Soucek to Everton.
Claret and Hugh reiterated claims that the Englishman has ‘given the green light for Soucek’s departure’.
Soucek broke his silence on the Everton links recently, stating he wants to stay at West Ham for the rest of his career.
The towering Czech has been one of West Ham’s most reliable and consistent players. Not to mention a vital source of important goals.
But whether the 30-year-old suits how Potter ultimately wants to play is another matter entirely.
Soucek future looks certain as Everton make new move
West Ham want the likes of Raphael Onyedika and James McAtee while Serie A’s best ball-winner Morten Frendup is also a reported target as Potter’s vision becomes clear.
Now Soucek’s future looks certain as Everton make a new move but West Ham must act fast.
If Soucek was going to leave the Hammers, a reunion with Moyes would be the most obvious destination.
But the prospect of West Ham selling the fan favourite, four-time Czech player of the year to the Toffees now looks off.
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Because Everton have started exploring a move to sign Brighton midfield ace Matt O’Riley.
Sky Sports claim Everton want former Celtic star O’Riley this summer.
That’s despite the Denmark international only joining the Seagulls last summer in a record £25m deal from the Scottish champions.
It’s claimed O’Riley could be on the move after limited game time since his return from an injury on his debut.
Everton switching their attention from Soucek to O’Riley in the search for goals from midfield gives Potter a major dilemma.
On the one hand many Hammers fans will be happy as it means Soucek could stay in east London.
Potter must act as Moyes switches to star who’s perfect for him
But on the other hand 24-year-old O’Riley is exactly the profile of player West Ham’s manager likes and reportedly wants at the club.
West Ham were heavily linked with a move for O’Riley last summer.
Comfortable on the ball and playing between the lines, O’Riley has a knack for scoring goals – as he proved during his time in Scotland.
O’Riley is rated as very strong on key passes and strong on general passing, through-balls, dribbling and taking set-pieces.
One of his notable talents is being involved in intricate one and two-touch play around the opposition box. That kind of guile and craft is something West Ham are sorely missing.
The London-born midfielder was said to be a key Hammers target last summer after scoring 15 goals and laying on 16 assists at Celtic.
Brighton beat West Ham to the punch – now Potter must act to ensure Everton don’t do the same.