West Ham rule out Tomas Soucek sale as David Moyes plots midfield signings

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West Ham have no intention of selling Tomas Soucek this summer, despite speculation that the club would be willing to listen to offers for the midfielder.

There have been suggestions that the Czech international is one of a number of first-team players David Moyes is open to moving on as he looks to bolster his transfer budget and plot a significant overhaul of his squad.

However, Standard Sport understands that Soucek remains an integral part of Moyes’ plans as he seeks to build a squad capable of both competing in the Europa Conference League and trying to break into the Premier League’s top six next term, with reports of a falling out between player and manager wide of the mark.

The 27-year-old still has two years left to run on his contract and the club hold the option of a further year beyond that, meaning there is no rush to either extend his deal or cash in with a sale.

His contract situation is similar to that of midfield partner Declan Rice, who Moyes values at £150million and who the club are adamant is not for sale, despite long-standing interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Soucek was signed from Slavia Prague in January 2020, only a month into Moyes’ second spell in charge of the club, initially on loan before the deal was made permanent the following summer.

He was named the club’s Hammer of the Year at the end of his first full campaign, and while his form this term did not hit the same heights, West Ham are keen to bolster, not reduce, their options in central midfield, following the retirement of Mark Noble and the end of Alex Kral’s unsuccessful loan spell.

A significant signing in the position remains high on Moyes’ list of priorities, having failed in January with a £50million bid for Leeds and England star Kalvin Phillips, who is now being heavily linked with a move to champions Manchester City.