Kretinsky steps in

Tomas Soucek – having landed a four year deal at the Hammers – allegedly has Daniel Kretisnky to thank for sorting it out for him when it appeared the club did not want to do a deal.

The player and club had been involved in a stand-off over a contract which at one stage was highly unlikely and could have seen the Czech leave the Hammers with Man United and Newcastle United showing an interest at one stage.

He was rated a £50m midfielder at that point but despite his  fall in form last season his new deal is reported by Team Talk – to have emerged  after an intervention from shareholder Daniel Kretinsky, who was keen to ensure his countryman remained at the London Stadium.

Capped 60 times by Czech Republic, Soucek is seen by the club’s second-largest shareholder  as a seriously important player in the club’s plans over the next few years