West Ham United must speed up Tomas Soucek decision amid Inter Milan links
West Ham have a decision to make with regards to the future of midfielder Tomas Soucek, who has emerged as a reported target for Inter Milan.
The Czech Republic international is into his fifth season as a West Ham player, racking up some 165 appearances for the club in that time.
Soucek is due to become a free agent in July, and Corriere dello Sport reported on Wednesday (11 October) that he is wanted by Inter.
Despite still being a regular starter under David Moyes, the Hammers have gone quiet with regards to Soucek’s future at London Stadium.
It was reported by The Athletic on 15 August that the Czech Republic international had put pen to paper on a new four-year contract.
However, there was no official confirmation from West Ham, and Moyes has not touched on the subject in the two months since that report.
And it has since been suggested by Paul Brown, via GIVEMESPORT (4 October), that Soucek is open to departing United next summer.
One thing for certain is that West Ham have the option of extending the 28-year-old’s contract by a further 12 months.
There is no question that they will take up that option if needs be, but it appears that they would rather agree a longer-term contract.
United could do with reaching an agreement one way or another, though, as Inter are not alone in being linked with the Czech star.
And the more that interest from elsewhere grows, the more likely Soucek is to have his head turned.
West Ham will garner a transfer fee for the former Slavia Prague player regardless, but that is not the case.
Given he is still a regular starter and now back to his best form, Moyes will not want to lose Soucek for any price right now.
But unless fresh terms are officially agreed soon, even with the extension mentioned, he will be entering the final year of his deal next summer.
And that may then force the hand of West Ham chiefs to cash in, with heavyweights Inter now supposedly among those waiting to pounce.
It may well be that confirmation soon arrives of a contract being signed, but until it does, do not expect the speculation to stop.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have been linked with a European player who has made an impact in the Champions League this season.