Inter Milan are ‘keeping tabs’ on Tomas Soucek and ‘want to sign the West Ham midfielder on a free transfer’ this summer… but the Hammers have the option to trigger a 12-month extension
- Tomas Soucek is under contract with West Ham until the end of the season
- Inter Milan look to strengthen their midfield options
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Inter Milan are keeping tabs on West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and hope to sign him once his contract expires at the end of the season, according to reports in Italy.
The 28-year-old is under contract with the Hammers until June 2024 and he is yet to sign a new deal, but West Ham are believed to have the option to trigger a 12-month extension.
According to Corriere dello Sportthe Hammers may not trigger the option if Soucek makes it clear he wants to leave the London Stadium and Inter are prepared to test his resolve.
After years of lavish spending, the Serie A giants have developed a reputation as savvy operators in the market after signing several players on free transfers.
Players like Marcus Thuram, Davy Klaasen and Juan Cuadrado arrived as free agents this summer, following the path of Hakan Calhanoglu, Andre Onana and Henrikh Mkhitaryan over the previous two years.
Inter Milan reportedly keeping tabs on West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek
The Czech midfielder has scored in the Hammers’ last two Premier League games.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi is looking to add some much-needed physicality and height to the team. Nerazzurri midfielder and Soucek does the trick.
The Czech international is West Ham’s longest-serving midfielder after Declan Rice joined Arsenal for £105million in the summer and has stepped up to fill the void left by the England international.
Soucek has made 10 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring four goals – including two in the Hammers’ last two Premier League games against Sheffield United and Newcastle.
It was a positive start after a mixed campaign, which saw Soucek lose his place alongside David Moyes as relegation worries consumed a club which had spent £165 million on new players.
Simone Inzaghi would like to add physicality and height to Inter’s midfield
He forced his way into the race and played a crucial role as West Ham claimed their first trophy in four decades by winning the Europa Conference League in Prague, where Soucek began his professional career with Slavia.
Since joining the Czech side on loan in January 2020, Soucek has made 165 appearances for West Ham in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and becoming a fan favorite at the London Stadium.
Inter won the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup during Inzaghi’s two seasons in charge, finishing second and third respectively in Serie A and losing to Manchester City in the Champions League final in June.
Their quest to end a two-year wait for the league title got off to a perfect start with five straight wins, but won just one of the next three matches.
Sassuolo came from behind to win 2-1 at San Siro late last month and Inter surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Bologna on Saturday.
Inzaghi’s men went into the international break in second place, two points behind AC Milan, and are second in Champions League Group D, level with Real Sociedad on four points.