West Ham owners divided after Everton make late bid for Tomas Soucek

 

 

Behind the scenes at the London Stadium, tensions have reportedly surfaced among West Ham United’s hierarchy following Everton’s late move for midfielder Tomas Soucek. The Toffees, who are scrambling to reinforce their squad in the final days of the summer transfer window, submitted an offer for the Czech international last week – but the bid was swiftly turned down.

Everton’s need for reinforcements is clear. Manager David Moyes, back in the dugout after his January appointment, has already secured the signing of Tyler Dibling to add depth, but the squad remains short in several key areas. Sources suggest that both a defender and a midfielder are high on the priority list before Monday’s deadline, with Soucek emerging as a serious target.

Everton’s long-standing interest

The Toffees have monitored Soucek for months, seeing him as a player capable of bringing steel, height, and goals to their midfield – comparisons have even been drawn with former fan favourite Marouane Fellaini. According to transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, Everton tabled a bid for the 29-year-old last week. However, while West Ham manager Graham Potter is believed to be open to Soucek moving on, not everyone at the club shares the same view.

“I am told Everton did make a bid for Soucek, this was actually last week, and it was rejected almost as soon as it was made,” Bailey told Everton News. “I am also told that despite Soucek being told by Graham Potter he can leave, some at the club are not so sure, so getting him might not be as easy as some think.”

West Ham’s dilemma

The conflicting opinions within West Ham’s leadership reflect the delicate timing of the approach. With just days left in the market, selling Soucek would leave the Hammers under pressure to find a suitable replacement. Some senior figures feel Everton’s proposal represented fair value, and Moyes himself was said to be in favour of the deal. However, others within the boardroom felt it was too risky to sanction his departure so late in the window, especially given his importance in previous seasons.

Although Soucek is no longer an automatic starter under Potter – featuring in just one of the first two league games this term – he remains a valued squad option. Against Chelsea last Friday, he started but was withdrawn after 70 minutes, a sign that while he is still trusted, he may no longer be the central figure he once was.

Potter’s praise, uncertainty remains

Potter has spoken positively about Soucek’s contribution in the past. Last season, the midfielder chipped in with five goals in just 17 league appearances, underlining his ability to influence both ends of the pitch.

“He’s been a fantastic signing for the club first and foremost,” Potter said earlier this year. “To deliver what he’s delivered over a period of time, brilliant in the boxes, helps defensively, set-pieces and then to chip in, as a midfielder, with goals is vital.”

Yet those words of praise stand in contrast to the current situation, where Potter seems willing to sanction an exit, provided the right circumstances fall into place.

The clock is ticking

For Everton, the challenge now is to convince West Ham to change their stance – or increase their bid to a level that forces the issue. For the Hammers, the question is whether cashing in on Soucek this late is worth the risk, particularly if they cannot bring in reinforcements in time.

With the deadline fast approaching, the next few days will determine whether Soucek remains a Hammer or makes the switch to Goodison Park, in what could be one of the window’s late twists.