West Ham can sign ‘another Tomas Soucek’ for just £7m after Napoli boost

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Serie A outfit Sampdoria are demanding just £7 million for Morten Thorsby with West Ham United keen to bring the Norwegian to the Premier League in the transfer window, as reported by Calciomercato.

Now, you may think £7 million in this day and age represents a bargain for an international midfielder who’s impressing in one of Europe’s top-five leagues.

But, while Thorsby wouldn’t view a potential switch to Napoli ‘with bad eyes’ – as they say on the continent – it seems the Partenopei would prefer to negotiate a lower price.

Calciomercato reports that Napoli – their finances hit hard by the impact of the pandemic and their failure to secure Champions League qualification yet again – are unwilling to pay more than £6 million as things stand.

Will Napoli’s dithering over Thorsby open the door for West Ham?

Could Napoli’s reticence to flash the cash open the door for West Ham?

Well, a £7 million deal for the former Heerenveen youngster is unlikely to take too much of a chunk out of David Moyes’ budget, especially when you consider the club’s coffers will be enhanced next season by a Europa League campaign.

In early June, Gazzetta dello Sport reported West Ham were looking to bring Thorsby to the London Stadium.

A 6ft 2in enforcer renowned for his aerial presence and tough-tackling style, comparisons will certainly be drawn to Tomas Soucek – especially when you consider 12 of Thorsby’s last 20 goals have been scored with his head.

Oslo-born Thorsby would also cost about half the price required to buy Czech Republic international Alex Kral. West Ham seemed set to sign Kral from Spartak Moscow before pulling out of the deal, accusing the Russian club of bumping up the price.

Furthermore, having impressed in a variety of roles in Italy, filling in at right-back, on the left or in a more defensively minded midfield role, Thorsby could provide Moyes with plenty of options ahead of a season in which West Ham’s squad could be stretched thin by Europa League commitments.