Tottenham Hotspur have not shopped in east London for 11 years, but they may raid West Ham United this summer as Antonio Conte is considering a transfer to sign Tomas Soucek.
That’s according to football.london, who report Spurs may try to refresh their engine room during the off-season. Conte ‘is a fan’ of Soucek among a handful of potential targets, with Harry Winks’ future in north London far from certain, having failed to establish a vital role.
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Winks is now likely to pursue a move away from north London to secure regular game time next season. His departure is expected to see Conte strive to sign a more attacking-minded option to support the defensive Rodrigo Bentancur, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp.
Tottenham have long held an interest in Southampton’s prolific free-kick star James Ward-Prowse. But a move for the England international will hinge on how much Spurs are willing to spend on one position, after the Saints captain extended his contract to 2026 last year.
Conte eying Soucek – Tottenham transfer amid West Ham contract talks
Conte also likes Soucek, and could attempt to make the Czech Republic star the first player to transfer directly from West Ham to Tottenham since 2011. The 27-year-old will be in the final two years of his contract this summer, as well, but has alternative suitors at his door.
Reports by 90min note at least two Premier League clubs are monitoring Soucek’s contract negotiations with the Irons. David Moyes has paused all discussions as he does not believe his £19m signing from Slavia Prague in 2020’s form currently warrants earning fresh terms.
Moyes informing the Hammers hierarchy of his position has left Soucek feeling somewhat undermined at the London Stadium. So, how did the last five players to transfer directly to Tottenham from West Ham go on to fare, as Conte keeps close tabs on Soucek’s situation?
Scott Parker: Last Spurs signing directly from the Hammers
Scott Parker is the most recent player to transfer directly from West Ham to Tottenham for £5m back in 2011. Spurs signed the then-30-year-old following the Hammers’ relegation as he handed in a transfer request, stating his desire to remain playing in the Premier League.
The midfielder had spent the previous four years in claret-and-blue after a £7m move from Newcastle United. He would only go on to spend just two years in north London, however, before switching to Fulham for £3m. Parker stayed at Craven Cottage until retiring in 2017.
Parker left West Ham following a strong term on a personal level that returned an England recall. The Football Writers’ Association also named him as their Player of the Year in 2011, and was also England Player of the Year. He went on to make 63 appearances with Spurs.
Jimmy Walker: Free arrival, free exit after just one season
Jimmy Walker made the short switch from east to north London in 2009 in a free transfer to Tottenham from West Ham. The Hammers released the goalkeeper that summer at the end of his contract, which saw Harry Redknapp swoop to secure cover for Carlo Cudicini.
Spurs lacked cover between the sticks after an injury ruled Heurelho Gomes out for a long period of time. But Walker would only serve as a benchwarmer throughout his Tottenham career, failing to make a single appearance across all competitions before leaving in 2010.
Redknapp axed Walker after just one season, before Walsall picked the shot-stopper up in October. He had previously played for the Saddlers before joining West Ham in 2004, and remained at the Bescot Stadium until retiring in February 2013 after a player-coach role.
Michael Carrick: Snubbed Tottenham contract for Manchester United move
Tottenham paid West Ham £3.5m for Michael Carrick’s transfer in August 2004, amid rival interest from Crystal Palace, Everton, Portsmouth and West Brom. Arsenal also looked into a deal, but withdrew their interest. Pompey, meanwhile, believed they had agreed a fee.
Carrick, however, was reluctant to move to Fratton Park and he would only go on to spend two years in north London. Manchester United made a £13m swoop, rising to £18.5m with add-ons, in 2006 after the midfielder snubbed a new Spurs deal knowing of their interest.
He had entered the final two years of the contract agreed after moving to White Hart Lane from the Irons. During that time, he played 75 games, before making 464 appearances for the Red Devils. He also won five Premier League titles, the Champions League and FA Cup.
Jermain Defoe: Premier League record holder while in north London
Jermain Defoe enjoyed two spells at Tottenham during his 22 year professional career. His first started in February 2004 after joining from West Ham for £7m, and lasted until joining Portsmouth four years later for £9m in a late deadline day deal sealed at around 01:00 am.
The striker had struggled to establish himself as the top-dog before joining Pompey, but he left with Spurs’ last trophy. Defoe helped to win the 2008 EFL Cup and re-joined the club a year later for £15m. Redknapp targeted his signature after leaving Pompey for Tottenham.
Defoe would remain in north London for a further five years until joining Toronto, for what was an MLS record £6m. He also set a joint-Premier League record in November 2009, as one of, now, five players to score five goals in a single match – beating Wigan Athletic 9-1.
Frederic Kanoute: Martin Jol’s short-lived star after West Ham – Tottenham transfer
Frederic Kanoute was Martin Jol’s short-lived striker during the Dutchman’s tenure as Spurs manager. The Mali forward had made the move to north London from West Ham in 2003 for £3.5m. Yet he would only last two seasons at Tottenham before securing a move away.
The Irons explored re-signing Kanoute, alongside interest from three Premier League sides, per The Guardian. But he instead sealed a €6.5m (£5.5m) move to Sevilla, where he would remain until 2012. Kanoute joined Chinese side BJ Guoan until retiring in December 2013.
Kanoute made 73 appearances with Tottenham in all competitions after his transfer from West Ham, but only scored 22 goals. His best Premier League return of eight came during his final campaign over 32 games. He started 22 times, as Defoe scored 13 over 35 games.
Tottenham, then, have clearly had mixed success in their recent transfers from West Ham as Conte considers Soucek. But a lot of time has passed since Spurs last raided the Hammers.
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