If anyone knows what the future holds for West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek, it is probably his long-standing Czech Republic teammate Vladimir Coufal.
And while one said his goodbyes to West Ham United following Sunday’s 3-1 win at Ipswich Town – Vladimir Coufal is leaving alongside Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings – the other heads into the summer with his future in serious doubt.
Reports have been swirling for quite a while now suggesting that Soucek is not part of Graham Potter’s long-term plans at the London Stadium.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey, meanwhile, exclusively told Hammers News that Leeds and Everton had opened talks with the former Slavia Prague captain.
“It’s more than Leeds and Everton now. Up to five teams [are in] talks,” Bailey explains. “Tomas Soucek is going to be one of the big sales West Ham are planning on this summer.
“I know that interest is mounting. Nearly half-a-dozen rivals are now keen.”
Now, Tomas Soucek is determined to write his name into the Premier League history books. Whether he does that as a West Ham player, only time will tell.
Vladimir Coufal hints at Tomas Soucek’s future as West Ham consider sale
Soucek is only three goals away from overtaking Patrick Berger as the most prolific Czech footballer in the history of the competition. Former Liverpool, Portsmouth and Aston Villa midfielder Berger hit the target 38 times.
Soucek has 36, his most recent coming in West Ham’s 2-0 away win at Manchester United.
And Coufal, speaking in a joint interview alongside a player with whom he has shared a dressing room since 2017, is backing Soucek to replace Berger at the summit. This suggests, as far as the veteran right-back is concerned, his box-crashing compatriot will still be a Premier League player next season.
Less certain, however, is exactly where on UK soil he will be making those trademark penalty-area darts.
“I cannot imagine, in six weeks’ [time], coming to a different club where I don’t see him in the changing room! It’s going to be so strange and weird for me. I will miss him on and off the pitch,” says Coufal, who played alongside Soucek at Slovan Liberec and Slavia Prague before both players moved to London in 2020.
“I think he will overtake Patrick Berger next season.
“For me, it is a shame [to part ways]. He’s a big miss for me but we shared unbelievable memories and unbelievable experiences together. I will never [be able to] thank him enough.”
Soucek pays Coufal tribute after another fine Premier League campaign
Graham Potter tried to sign Soucek for Brighton five years ago. Ironically enough, he could now be the one to sell the long-serving giant. A decision West Ham may live to regret, presuming Potter starts next season poorly and ends up getting the chop in the autumn.
Soucek may lack the technical qualities of Lucas Paqueta or Mohammed Kudus but, when it comes to bursting into the penalty area and finishing off chances, there are few better in the whole of the Premier League.
No out-and-out central midfielder has more than his nine top-flight goals in 2024/25.
“Obviously, he has been here for five years. It’s unbelievable,” the four-time Czech Footballer of the Year smiled at Portman Road, an emotional post-match interview in which Soucek paid tribute to the departing Vladimir Coufal.
“Since he came, he played like nearly every minute. It’s unbelievable, and he was a massive part of all of these victories and successes. For me, he will be a big miss because we are together all the time around West Ham and around London.
“But, in this club, I am the luckiest one because I will still see him! I’ll see him next week! I think all West Ham should appreciate what he has done for the club.”
“In the training sessions, when I am in [Coufal’s] team, I always win! He’s like a warrior all the time. If we play table tennis, he’s a competitor! He wants to win all the time.”
According to reports, West Ham want £20 million if they are to cash in on Soucek.
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