'Most dangerous' West Ham United star set for exit as agents 'offer' player to Turkish giants

West Ham United are deep in a relegation battle and will face a major challenge to avoid dropping down to the Championship under Nuno Espirito Santo this term, after a disappointing campaign so far.

The Hammers were bottom of the Premier League table in August and save for a brief upturn after Nuno replaced Graham Potter at the helm, their position in and around the bottom three has remained constant throughout the opening 22 matches of the season.

Victory away at local rivals Tottenham Hotspur last time out may have offered a ray of hope but with the gap to safety still five points, the east London side are left with a mountain to climb. Transfer speculation of key exits has not helped – Lucas Paqueta is heavily linked with a return to Brazil, while talk surrounding Crysencio Summerville has emerged and a third Hammers star has now been touted for a mid-season exit.

Tomas Soucek ‘offered’ to Besiktas as another Hammers exit looms

According to reports by Turkish outlet Fotospor, West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek could be set to depart the club this month after intermediaries ‘offered’ the 30-year-old to Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas.

The Turkish outfit are thought to have the opportunity to secure the services of the experienced Czech international, who has just 18 months left on his contract at the London Stadium after joining the club back in 2020.

Besiktas are reported to be ‘currently looking for players in all positions’ and are mulling over making a bid for Soucek, who has been one of the most reliable midfielders in the Premier League over recent seasons and has scored some important goals in east London, bringing out his famous helicopter celebration on many an occasion.

Soucek has scored 44 goals in 266 appearances for West Ham and was a key part of the side which won the UEFA Conference League in 2022/23, but the 30-year-old has made just eight league starts this term amidst inconsistent performances, scoring twice in victories over Newcastle and Burnley. But his time at the London Stadium may end soon, according to reports.

West Ham would be dealt another blow in losing ‘most dangerous’ Soucek

Soucek has always been a major threat in attacking areas for West Ham and this was epitomised in December 2024 when he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 Hammers victory over Wolves, leading to claims from Andy Hinchcliffe that the Czech is the “most dangerous” player in the box at the club. He was also recently dubbed “priceless” by former West Ham player and pundit Don Hutchinson.

His value to the Hammers has not been lost on new boss Nuno, who called Soucek a “nightmare” for the opposition in November of last year.

“I’ve played Tomas, I’ve played West Ham, many times and every time I was analysing it, it was a nightmare,” said the West Ham boss. “How do you control Tomas getting in the box. He recognises the space and he has belief that not many players have. So good. He’s just made 250 appearances for the club, it’s huge. You cannot have anything else but respect and love for Tomas.”

The sale of one of their most experienced players in Soucek in the midst of a relegation battle could provide a major blow to West Ham if links with Besiktas continue to intensify over the coming days.