By Dave Langton

Daniel Kretinsky may be ready to plunge funds into a bid for Bayer Leverkusen star Patrik Schick this summer as the Hammers look to sign a striker.

The club were linked with a potential swoop to sign the Czech Republic international in the January transfer window.

Schick has been unbelievable in the Bundesliga, scoring 20 goals in 20 games in the top-flight, and he has a lengthy contract until 2025.

Transfermarkt value Schick at £36m.

But a top club insider has told us that Kretinsky is a big fan of the 26-year-old, who came up through the ranks at Sparta Prague, the club in which the Hammers investor has a stake in.

Sources have confirmed that Newcastle made a bid to sign Schick in January and Leverkusen accepted a bid, although the forward was not willing to join because of their relegation battle.

Schick has actually outscored Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland this season in the Bundesliga; the only player with more goals is Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 28 goals in 23 games.