Tomas Soucek made no attempt to hide the fact that the option of leaving West Ham United presented itself before Premier League clubs ceased trading on Monday evening.
While Hammers News reported at the beginning of the summer that Leeds United held discussions with the giant Czech midfielder, the two options available to him by the end were a] staying at West Ham, or b] reuniting with David Moyes at Everton.
A rejuvenated Everton submitted a bid for Soucek in late-August.
One that, as Tomas Soucek now explains, was rejected by not only West Ham United but also by himself.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesWest Ham United ace Tomas Soucek explains why Everton transfer didn’t happen
While reports back in the spring suggested that Graham Potter was ready to move Soucek on after half-a-decade in East London, the Hammers boss certainly did not sound like a man happy to cash in once Everton put forward a £17 million package.
Potter spoke glowingly about Soucek’s character. And, just days after he powered home a trademark header against Wolves in the Carabao Cup, the under-pressure head coach was also keen to highlight a goalscoring record few midfielders in the Premier League can match, let alone at the London Stadium.
Now, with a summer of speculation behind him, Soucek opened up on a joint-decision to extend his five-year stay in the capital.
“There was interest. It was [reported] in the media, it was also felt at the club, But West Ham and I said no, because I feel the strength of West Ham,” Soucek tells Ceske Noviny. “I feel [I am in] a stable position there that is recognised.
“So, I look forward to further cooperation at West Ham.”
According to Czech publication InFotbal, Everton offered an initial £15 million, plus £2 million in add-ons, for West Ham’s number 28. After Leeds turned their attention to Anton Stach much earlier in the window, Everton shifted their focus towards the Bundesliga too.
Merlin Rohl, another six-foot-plus giant of a midfielder, joined from Freiburg for the same fee Everton were prepared to pay West Ham for Soucek.
Soucek prepares for World Cup qualifiers after winning over Graham Potter
The four-time Czech footballer of the year was speaking ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro and the follow-up friendly clash with Saudi Arabia.
Soucek saw the likes of Vaclav Cerny [Besiktas], Matej Kovar [PSV Eindhoven] and Pavel Sulc [Lyon] seal summer moves, while centre-back Ladislav Krejci joined Wolves on loan from Girona in a deal which could reach £26 million.
“Transfers are part of football,” adds Soucek, the captain of his national team looking to add to a tally of 81 caps and 15 goals.
“Whoever transferred, I already congratulated him in the locker room and now I congratulate him publicly. It’s just a plus for the player, a great motivation that there is interest in him.”
While highlighting his presence inside the opposition penalty area, meanwhile, Graham Potter also paid tribute to Soucek’s adaptability and his willingness to do the dirty work in less glamorous roles.
Only Mateus Fernandes and Kyle Walker-Peters made more tackles than him during Sunday’s shock 3-0 away win at Nottingham Forest.
“If you look at his goals record when he’s on the pitch, as a starter…,” Potter said before that City Ground trip. “And then as a person, once you work with Tomas [you discover] he is a fantastic individual.
“He sacrifices himself for the team, plays in loads of different roles. He’s contributed a lot to the success West Ham have had over the years. Great person.
“He’s got the ability to defend and attack both boxes and to score, obviously [that] is an important part of the game.”