Tomas Soucek is just three goals away from setting a new Premier League record, though whether he achieves the feat at West Ham United, Leeds or Everton is anyone’s guess.
It emerged this week – amid claims that Graham Potter is ready to move Hammers favourite on after half-a-decades’ worth of loyal service – that Leeds and Everton headline a host of clubs in talks with the Czech Republic international.
As football correspondent Graeme Bailey exclusively told Hammers News, ‘up to five teams [are in] talks’ with Tomas Soucek. The former Sparta Prague captain – who joined West Ham United in a £19 million deal in the summer of 2020 – is expected to stay in the Premier League and join a rival top-flight club if indeed he is cut loose by Potter and co.
As such, as Soucek is only three goals behind Patrick Berger, he has just two matches remaining if he is to become the most prolific Czech footballer in Premier League history while still wearing the claret and blue of West Ham.
Leeds United fans get cold feet over West Ham’s Tomas Soucek
Soucek is currently on 36, only ever-so-slightly short of former Liverpool, Portsmouth and Aston Villa ace Berger.
Now, claims that Soucek could re-join David Moyes at Everton has the makings of one of those transfers which feels almost bound to happen. If you instructed Chat GPT to name the most predictable switch of the summer, ‘Soucek to Everton’ would be right up there.
Yet, if newly-promoted Leeds are to avoid the same brutal fate which befell Ipswich Town, Luton, Southampton, Burnley and Leicester City, bringing in proven top-flight operators and reliable goalscorers could very well be the difference between survival and failure.
Soucek, averaging nearly seven goals a season across his five Premier League seasons, ticks both boxes.
The problem is not with Soucek’s ability – although there may be doubts about where he fits in Daniel Farke’s possession-orientated side – but with the potential costs involved in bringing him to Elland Road.
As the Leeds faithful are quick to point out, a reported £20 million for a footballer who will turn 31 next season is steep indeed. Especially for a club who have had their fair share of Financial Fair Play concerns in the recent past.
“Not worth £20 million at all!,” one Leeds fan writes on X. “Yes we need experience, but that’s too much for 30 year-old.”
“£20 million for an average 30 year-old with two years left on his contract… dream on,” another agrees.
“£20 million for a pretty bang average 30-year-old central midfielder is insane. Get Kalvin [Phillips] in on a cheap loan.”
£20 million considered too steep for West Ham veteran Soucek
The claret and blue clan will have plenty to say about suggestions that Soucek is nothing more than ‘average’, of course. Furthermore, suggestions that Leeds should bring Phillips back to his old stomping ground instead may incur a mirthful chuckle from the London Stadium.
Phillips’ ill-fated loan spell at West Ham a year ago, after all, was one of the most disastrous in recent Premier League history.
Yet, while there are some in favour of investing a cool £20 million on a midfielder just one goal away from breaking into double figures – only Jarrod Bowen has outscored Soucek this term – the overriding feeling is that Leeds are better served looking at cheaper, and especially younger, alternatives.
“£20 million you’re paying for his vital contributions in both boxes,” one supporter hits back. “I don’t think that is steep. Nine goals and one assist this season alone, six more than that big money striker [Niclas] Fullkrug they have.”
“Right kind of player, wrong kind of price,” another counters. “I get if you need him then you sign whatever the cost but this is on the fringes of too much. Especially considering the length of contract we would give him, the amortisation would be high.
“No one is paying £20 million for Soucek unless he goes to Saudi Arabia.”
“£20 million for a 30 year-old? Forget it.”
“[Soucek is] too old to be commanding £20 million. Should be half that at best.”
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