Leeds United may be forced to fork out a low seven-figure sum to secure a move for Tomas Soucek.
The West Ham United midfielder’s future is up in the air after being moved out of the starting 11 by new Hammers boss Graham Potter. The Czech international was named on the bench for three of their last four Premier League games, with James Ward-Prowse and Carlos Soler favoured in their last match against Southampton.
Soucek Price Named
According to Football Insider, Leeds United’s interest in the 30-year-old stems from Daniel Farke’s desire to add experience to his side as they gear up to return to the top flight. With Joe Rothwell’s future up in the air as his loan spell from Bournemouth nears its end, adding support to Ao Tanaka may be one of The Whites’ biggest priorities over the transfer window.
The report, from Peter O’Rourke, states that the East London side are looking for a figure between £10-15 million to lure Soucek away, with his deal expiring in 2027. He has played 240 times for United, scoring 39 times.
Another transfer candidate to star alongside Tanaka in a holding midfield role is Kalvin Phillips, with the 29-year-old permanently linked with a sensational return to Elland Road after a few tough seasons at Manchester City and Ipswich Town. He was briefly a teammate of Soucek when the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ was on loan at West Ham under David Moyes.
Writer’s View
Soucek is a popular figure at West Ham and has always been there in big moments to score a crucial goal. Whilst Graham Potter will want to reform his squad in the way he wants to play, the Czech international feels like a crucial leadership figure and letting him go would be a blow to the dressing room atmosphere. Leeds would benefit from having a player like that in the Premier League, but it seems destined that their move is to re-sign Kalvin Phillips and bring him home. Other areas of the squad need to be reinforced too, such as attacking midfield with opinion swaying on Brendan Aaronson, as well as the possibility of purchasing Manor Solomon on a permanent basis.
