The transfer window has its fair share of true stories, rumours and mis-speaks: Only last summer West Ham were linked with over two hundred players – at least that was the point at which we stopped counting. So trying to corroborate stories and articles from other outlets can go a long way to inform readers of what’s real, what’s hopeful and what’s simply neither of those two.
This morning’s Tomas Soucek story from footballinsider.com suggested that newly promoted Burnley were hoping to put together a deal to take Tornado Tom to Turf Moor as he ‘was no longer in Graham Potter’s long term plans.’
To throw some more light on this we spoke with our own Claret and Hugh source inside Tomas Soucek’s camp, to try and establish whether the Burnley interest was genuine and if indeed Soucek might be sold this summer.
The response came back :”They want him on-loan and guaranteed sale if they stay up…’
Which is either the Midlands club trying it on to see how desperate the Hammers are to ship out players this summer (as lamented often by West Ham’s own board), or an indication of Burnley’s own financial limitations when trying to build a Premier League squad on a budget (sound familiar?). Other comments suggested that Burnley might not be ‘comfortable’ with Soucek’s £90k a week in any case.
Either way, based on that proposal it doesn’t sound as if Tomas Soucek will be packing his bags any day soon.
West Ham are in need of funds for player sales rather than simply dropping money from the weekly wage bill, so a loan doesn’t sound a very appealing option for the bean counters at London Stadium.
Whether it triggers other, more attractive offers from Soucek’s reported admirers at Leeds or Everton, though, who can say.
Burnley’s interest in the Czech seems genuine, though: And remembering the events of last summer when James Ward-Prowse went from aspiring club vice-captain to suddenly without warning being summarily dispatched on-loan on deadline day – never say never!
Midlands club? I didn’t read on after that. A genuine southern grasp of geography I suppose.
They can’t do that to our Tom. Send him up north like some kind of outcast? Can’t see that happening sorry. You wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
thank you
It will be an own goal if we sell Tom, he is good for 10 goals a season, which is a good chunk of points, he also gives 100% every game unlike many of the primadonnas, Kudus, Paqueta, Emerson, Soler etc
We need more wholehearted players not less of them
A loan to Burnley for Soucek with subsidized wages would be an insane deal for Westham on the basis that there will likely be a relegation battle involving both clubs . In effect the board would be paying Soucek to help Burnley stay up in place of Westham . The same is true of all the other proposed destinations for Soucek . He’s inept at passing but scored almost one quarter of Westham’s Premier League goals as well as being a giant in defense and as such should be kept for at least one more season to help stabilize Westham in what might prove to be a difficult season .
While Potter’s results haven’t been any better than Lopetegui’s I believe that his man management skills are better and that he won’t suddenly ship someone out on loan on deadline day the way that J Lo did to JWP
Martin I think you have just offended every football fan in the Midlands and Lancashire.
Excellent, in one post? That’s going some, even for me!!
Agree last time I went to Turf Moor it was in lancashire
Wages far too high for the Clarets anyway. Burnley’s American owners aren’t afraid to splash the cash tho.
How long have Burnley been in the midlands ? 😆
Midlands Club!!!!
Just for future reference, Burnley is very far from being in the Midlands
Burnley a Midlands club? 🤣🤣 Thonk you are getting your Claret and Blue teams mixed up.🫣
Burnley ahh yes that well known MIDLANDS club
Everywhere north of me is ‘Midlands’. True southerner. Just reassuring readers that there’s no AI ever on C and H!!