Patrik Schick appears to have ruled out a move away from Bayer Leverkusen despite interest from Premier League giants Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, speaking to BILD.
As Schick took Scotland apart at Euro 2020 – producing his very own Puskas Award candidate a 50-yard lob which will gave David Marshall nightmares for all eternity – it felt like only a matter of time until West Ham came knocking.
In the last two years, the Hammers have signed no less than three Czech Republic internationals – Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and Alex Kral.
And given David Moyes’ desire for a new number nine, someone capable of easing the burden on the overworked Michail Antonio, Schick appeared to tick about every single possible box.
Is Patrik Schick West Ham’s striker solution?
Schick has succeeded in translating his stunning Euro 2020 form onto the club stage, scoring 17 times in 19 games during the best season of his career.
He even became the first ever Leverkusen player to score four goals in a single Bundesliga match during December’s 7-1 dismantling of a hapless Greuther Furth.
As such, few would have been surprised when The Mirror reported a few weeks ago that West Ham were planning to make a move for the £40 million-rated Schick.
According to 90Min, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton are also admirers of the former Juventus man
Though while flattered with the interest, Schick did not sound like a man packing his bags and plotting his route to Cologne Airport.
“Of course it’s nice to read when you’re linked with the big clubs,” said a 6ft 3ins centre-forward who pretty much epitomises the phrase ‘good touch for a big man’.
“But I’m really, really happy in Leverkusen and I want to go to the Champions League with Bayer 04. I love living in Germany.
“I’m not thinking about other clubs at all. Everyone knows my contract situation (his current deal runs until 2025). And I would never cause problems for a club and push through a transfer.”
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky purchased 27 per cent of West Ham in November. One would imagine he would relish the prospect of bringing his nation’s most iconic footballer to the London Stadium.
Doing so, however, will be easier said than done.
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