West Ham transfer news: £40.5m ace 'in talks' over Irons deal, can use Zouma as 'leverage'

Tomas Soucek is set to become the first West Ham United star to challenge the club hierarchy as he bids for a new lucrative contract after learning Kurt Zouma is the Hammers’ highest-paid player, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Zouma is in hot water after video footage, obtained by The Sun last week, showed the central defender booting and slapping his pet cat.

According to the Daily Mail, Soucek is among a number of West Ham aces who are unhappy after learning they earn considerably less than Zouma.

The report suggests the likes of Soucek, Declan Rice, Pablo Fornals and Vladimir Coufal could seek hefty wage hikes after it was revealed Zouma has been fined two weeks’ wages, totalling £250,000.

It comes after Claret and Hugh revealed last month that West Ham have opened talks with Czech Republic captain Soucek over a new deal.

The article claims discussions are being held over a potential four-year agreement which would include a substantial pay rise.

Soucek, 26, has entered the final two-and-a-half years of his current £47,000-per-week contract at the London Stadium.

However, the deal reportedly has the option of being extended by another two years.

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Jones believes Soucek is keen to secure a major pay increase as he looks to negotiate a fresh contract.

The transfer insider feels the central midfielder’s stance has been strengthened thanks to Zouma’s pay package details being released.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “The first player to really test this pay system is Soucek.

“He’s in talks now over a new deal and will surely use the information to leverage his own terms.

“He was hoping for around £120,000-a-week but will now have grounds to get that and