According to Corriere di Verona (June 2nd, page 14), West Ham are keen to sign another Czech Republic star in Antonin Barak, although Arsenal could complicate things.
What’s the story?
Well, the Italian news outlet believe West Ham have been scouting the 26-year-old.
If that is the case, the east Londoners will surely have been left impressed by what they’ve seen.
Barak has impressed at EURO 2020 alongside Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal, helping the Czech Republic reach the quarter-finals.
Specifically, the attacking midfielder shone against the Netherlands in the Round of 16, and nearly scored but for Matthijs de Ligt’s great tackle.
For his club, Hellas Verona, Barak scored seven goals and provided four assists in 36 appearances throughout the 2020/21 campaign.
Antonin Barak wants to join Arsenal
As aforesaid, Arsenal could complicate this deal.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport in 2017, Barak admitted that he was an Arsenal fan, and would jump at the chance to join the Gunners.
The Příbram-born player said: “I was and still am an Arsenal fan. I know that I need to develop, and it doesn’t bother me where I end up, we’ll see.
“In Europe, Arsenal and Barcelona appeal to me.”
Now, Arsenal haven’t actually been linked with the forward.
However, if he turns it on in the quarter-final against Denmark today, other clubs could have their heads turned.
Should one of them be Arsenal, then West Ham will surely have no chance of competing with the north Londoners, given Barak’s love for them.
Having said that, this is all hypothetical.
If the Hammers really do want Barak, they need to go out and secure a deal before the competition for his signature hots up.
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