West Ham now in talks to sign Tomas Soucek replacement but £46m Manchester City deal could ruin move….
TBR Football can reveal West Ham are looking to replace Tomas Soucek this summer, amid interest from within the Premier League.
We understand Leeds United are admirers of Soucek after winning promotion from the Championship, with West Ham valuing the Czech Republic international at a sum of £20m.
Now, the Hammers have initiated contact to sign a direct replacement in Raphael Onyedika – although a development over at Manchester City could be impactful.
Raphael Onyedika keen on move to London as West Ham open talks
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been told that West Ham have been in touch with Club Brugge over a deal for the Nigeria international.
We understand Onyedika is interested in a move to London, as he enters the final 24 months of his contract with the Belgian giants – any failure to sell him this summer would see his value drop next summer, by which point he would only have a year remaining on his terms.
However, it is not all plain sailing for West Ham – who are also monitoring Aaron Ramsdale.
Sources inform TBR Football that AC Milan view Onyedika as a potential replacement for Tijjani Reijnders, who is close to leaving the Italian giants for Manchester City in a £46m move.
AC Milan failed to qualify for Europe last season after disappointingly finishing eighth in Serie A, but remain a prestigious club with a strong pulling power nonetheless.
Raphael Onyedika previously stunned Pep Guardiola
Onyedika boasts UEFA Champions League pedigree, racking up 18 appearances in the competition for Club Brugge.
The man born in Imo – more of a defensive midfielder than an attacking threat – has only scored one goal in these 18 games, but it impressively came against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, netting the opener to scare the Citizens in a game they had to win to progress to the knockout stage last term.
Guardiola did not directly praise Onyedika afterwards, but claimed the whole of Club Brugge has a “bright future” after being left impressed by their efforts in the opening 45 minutes, although Manchester City ultimately fought back to win 3-1 and spare their blushes.
Mohammed Kudus makes key decision over West Ham future following interest from Arsenal..
Mohammed Kudus has told West Ham United that he does not want to move to Saudi Arabia this summer, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Under Julen Lopetegui and then Graham Potter, Mohammed Kudus had an indifferent season in a West Ham shirt.
The 24-year-old made 35 appearances in all competitions, yielding a return of five goals and four assists.
Kudus perhaps enjoyed an upturn in form towards the end of the campaign, but the Ghana international failed to get close to the 14 goals he scored for the Hammers last season.
And as West Ham look to rework their squad for Potter next season, the prospect of selling Kudus this summer is becoming more realistic.
Mohammed Kudus has declined a move to the Saudi Pro League
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Kudus has declined a move to the Saudi Pro League because he knows there is interest in his services within the Premier League.
Kudus has a release clause worth over £80m this summer, but West Ham are open to a deal for the Ghana international.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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As mentioned, West Ham want to reshape their squad for Potter next season, and they’ll need to raise funds in order to do so.
It’s understood that the Saudi Pro League were willing to pay more than £70m to sign Kudus this summer, but the player has confirmed that he does not want to move to the Middle East at this point of his career.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in Kudus.
In the last week, swap deals have been discussed with Manchester United and Chelsea to name two of his potential destinations.
Of course, Arsenal wanted Kudus in January, and perhaps Mikel Arteta’s side could revive those ambitions.
West Ham’s new Mohammed Kudus asking price
In terms of how much Kudus might cost a club like Man United, Chelsea or Arsenal, the Hammers have revised their asking price somewhat.
The Hammers would currently want a deal in excess of £50m for Kudus.
West Ham wanted close to £80m in January when Arsenal were interested in their star man — an offer that ultimately never arrived from north London.
In terms of other players who might leave the London Stadium this summer, Nayef Aguerd doesn’t want to return to West Ham, even if he might have been welcomed back under Potter.
After a season on loan at Real Sociedad, the Algerian international feels as if his chapter in east London is well and truly over.
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