Pundit View: Soucek may be knocking down West Ham owners’ door over Zouma update
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Tomas Soucek may be demanding more money at West Ham after learning Kurt Zouma’s wages, according to Frank McAvennie.
After footage of Zouma kicking a cat emerged earlier this month, it was widely reported that he’d been fined two weeks’ wages, totalling £250,000 [Mirror].
Eurosport journalist Dean Jones has since told GiveMeSport that Soucek, 26, is in talks over a new deal at West Ham and may “use the information to leverage his own terms”.
It is understood that Soucek wanted £120,000-a-week but could now ask for more due to his importance in the side.
McAvennie feels it may be down to the Zouma update that has led to the Czech Republic midfielder banging down the doors of West Ham’s ownership.
“No one is worth £120,000 per week but in football, that’s exactly what happens,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“Listen, he’s one of the best players here and he’s massive for us and he deserves better terms if you look at how far he has come since he joined us.
“There have been links with Man United so it’s only right we reward him.
“It’s funny if you think about Zouma. The club announced he had been fined two weeks’ wages, which was £250,000, so he’s on £125,000-a-week.
“I wonder if that’s had Soucek knocking on the owners’ door.”
Soucek has played 33 times in all competitions for West Ham this season, proving himself to be one of the first names on David Moyes’ team sheet in all competitions.
He and Declan Rice have formed a great partnership but the Czech ace’s existing deal expires in 2024 and there’s no doubt that work needs to be done to ensure that he doesn’t leave for anyone else.
In other West Ham news, this ex-Hammer says it was a “dream” to play for the club.