Journalist: Those within West Ham now believe star midfielder will stay put this summer

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Paul Brown has provided an update on the contract situation of West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek. 

Signed for £19.1million from Slavia Prague on an initial four-year deal following a successful loan spell at the London Stadium in 2020 (BBC), the powerful midfield general has already been earmarked for new and improved terms.

However, recently it emerged in a report from 90min that the Hammers had placed negotiations over a new contract with the 26-year-old on hold until the summer at the earliest.

As the end of the season comes into view, speculation as to whether those talks are forthcoming has begun…

In conversation with GMS, Brown has shared what he knows from the feeling inside the east London club, claiming they are ‘very relaxed’ over the Czech Republic international’s future.

“The club are very relaxed about it. They don’t seem to think there’s any prospect of him refusing and trying to go elsewhere.

“There’s obviously the question marks still over Declan Rice and there’s no way West Ham could afford to let both first-choice midfielders to leave in the same window. Whether they actually get a decent offer for Rice or not, they feel they could accept his future is up in the air anyway.

“I think all parties are basically being sensible at the moment and just seeing where they end up before agreeing the figures. I don’t think it’s likely that he leaves.”

Whilst many would point towards the long-term future of Declan Rice as the highest priority for GSB this summer, securing the services of Soucek must not be far behind.

Since becoming an Iron, the 48-cap towering midfielder has scored 19 times in 99 appearances for the club, also missing just one game through injury in that time,