Inter Milan are ‘keeping tabs’ on Tomas Soucek and ‘want to sign the West Ham midfielder on a free transfer’ this summer… but the Hammers have the option to trigger a 12-month extension

• Tomas Soucek is under contract with West Ham until the end of the season
• Inter Milan are looking to bolsters their midfield options
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Inter Milan are keeping tabs on West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and hope to sign him once his contract expires at the end of the season, according to reports in Italy. 

The 28-year-old is under contract with the Hammers June 2024 and he is yet to sign a new deal, but West Ham are understood to have the option to trigger a 12-month extension.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Hammers may not trigger the option should Soucek make clear he wants to leave the London Stadium and Inter are prepared to test his resolve.

After years of lavish spending, the Serie A giants have developed a reputation as shrewd operators in the market after signing several players on free transfers.

The likes of Marcus Thuram, Davy Klaasen and Juan Cuadrado arrived as free agents in the summer, following in the path of Hakan Calhanoglu, Andre Onana and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the previous two years.

Inter Milan are reportedly keeping tabs on West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek

The Czech midfielder has scored in the Hammers’ last two Premier League games

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Inter manager Simone Inzaghi is looking to add some much-needed physicality and height to the Nerazzurri midfield and Soucek fits the bill.

The Czech Republic international is West Ham’s longest serving midfielder after Declan Rice joined Arsenal for £105million in the summer and has stepped up to left the void left by the England international.

Soucek has made 10 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring four goals – including two in the Hammers’ last two Premier League games against Sheffield United and Newcastle.

It’s been a positive start after a mixed campaign, which saw Soucek lose his place in David Moyes’ side as relegation worries consumed a club that had spent £165million on new players. 

Simone Inzaghi is reportedly keen to add physicality and height to Inter’s midfield

He fought his way back for the run-in and played a crucial role as West Ham secured a first trophy in four decades by winning the Europa Conference League in Prague, where Soucek started his professional career with Slavia.

Since joining from the Czech side on loan in January 2020, Soucek has played 165 games for West Ham in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and becoming a fans’ favourite at the London Stadium. 

Inter have won the Coppa Italia and the Italian Super Cup in both of Inzaghi’s two seasons in charge, finishing second and third in Serie A respectively and losing to Manchester City in the Champions League final in June.

Their quest to end a two-year wait for league title got off to a perfect start with five consecutive wins, but have won just one of the next three games.

Sassuolo came from behind to win 2-1 at the San Siro at the end of last month and Inter relinquished a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home against Bologna on Saturday. 

Inzaghi’s men headed into the international break in second place two points behind AC Milan and are second in Group D in the Champions League, level with Real Sociedad on four points. 

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