A deal looks like it could be there to be done between West Ham and Everton after a ruthless twist from Graham Potter.
David Moyes has been showing West Ham what they’re missing with his revival of Everton.
The Hammers have won just three of Graham Potter’s first 13 games in charge, losing seven, after the defeat to Liverpool.
Everton have made up eight points to overhaul West Ham, who are now sat 17th in the table – the worst team in the Premier League besides the bottom three.
The Hammers wanted to go in a different direction when parting ways with Moyes at the end of last season.
Besides the bottom three, no side has won less points than West Ham since Potter’s arrival on January 9th.
PSR role reversal for West Ham and Everton
While this current malaise most definitely started on the Scot’s watch, they have gone in a different direction alright.
Everton are upwardly mobile with money to spend in the summer going into their impressive new stadium.
Meanwhile, West Ham insist they are at their PSR limit for transfers ahead of the window.
That means a host of player sales are now required to raise funds for signings if Potter is to get his own team in place.
There are few safe from being shipped out though after a disastrous campaign.
Potter told his West Ham players to shape up or be sold after last week’s defeat to Wolves.
It has since been claimed the Hammers have 11 players they want to offload.
But one who was expected to be a key player now appears almost certain to depart following links to the Toffees.
West Ham star Tomas Soucek is surely Everton bound as ruthless Potter gives Moyes hope.
Soucek has been linked with a move to Everton this summer.
By Moyes’ own admission, the towering Czech is one of his favourite ever signings – of his career, not just from his time at West Ham.
With the Hammers in need of funds to avoid PSR restrictions, it has not been beyond the realms of possibility Soucek might be sold if a suitable offer came in.
West Ham star Soucek surely Everton bound
But Soucek, with seven goals so far, has been a key player for West Ham yet again this term.
He quickly showed both Julen Lopetegui and Potter that they can ill-afford to leave him out if they want to get results.
Captain Jarrod Bowen told fans and the club Soucek needs to be appreciated more at West Ham.
Claret and Hugh recently claimed Soucek is attracting interest from an ‘unnamed Premier League club’ ahead of the summer transfer window.
And that the club in question – widely believed to be Moyes’ Everton – are reportedly offering the Hammers midfielder £120k per week to join them.
A deal which had looked unlikely as a result of the big Czech’s importance to the team.
Especially as West Ham have lost six of the seven games Soucek hasn’t started this season.
But things appear to have changed dramatically.
Soucek was dropped for the recent defeat to Wolves.
He then won his place back for the Bournemouth game only to be hooked just nine minutes into the second half.
Now something happened to Soucek for the first time in his Hammers career, he was dropped again and left on the bench for the entire game as West Ham lost at Anfield.
Ruthless Potter ditches Soucek to give Moyes hope
It is the clearest indication yet that Soucek is not part of Potter’s plans. Certainly not as a starter.
Being captain of his country means the world to Soucek.
So he will not accept being a squad player as it could cost him his national team spot.
Perhaps West Ham have already been given a clear indication from their old boss and Everton that they want to do a deal.
Potter may now be keeping Soucek out of harm’s way given West Ham’s desperation for cash when the window opens in seven weeks.
Time will tell but Everton will clearly be encouraged by the developing situation at West Ham if Moyes does indeed plan a reunion with Soucek this summer.
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