West Ham poised to outpace Tottenham in midfielder pursuit as Soucek’s future remains uncertain – report.

West Ham find themselves in a disappointing 16th place with just 34 points, far from their usual mid-table ambitions.

Despite investing over £150 million in the summer transfer window, their struggles in the league persist.

A major issue plaguing the Hammers is their sluggish, uninspiring, and ineffective midfield, which has contributed significantly to their underwhelming campaign.

Determined to rectify past mistakes, manager Graham Potter has prioritized strengthening the midfield in the upcoming transfer window.

West Ham Lead Tottenham in Pursuit of Midfielder

According to The Guardian, West Ham are preparing a move for Sunderland’s highly-rated midfielder Chris Rigg.

The 17-year-old is among the most promising talents in the Championship and has been linked with a potential move away from the Stadium of Light.

Tottenham are also interested in signing Rigg, but West Ham have positioned themselves favorably to gain the upper hand and outmaneuver their London rivals in the race for his signature.

Potter has already held internal discussions about acquiring the young midfielder as part of his plan to inject more dynamism into the squad.

Having signed a three-year contract with Sunderland last summer, Rigg’s current club is in a strong position to negotiate a potential transfer.

If Sunderland secure promotion to the Premier League, his price tag could increase significantly.

Rigg has been a standout performer this season, registering four goals and one assist in 34 Championship appearances.

Tomas Soucek’s Future in Doubt

The report also suggests that Tomas Soucek could be on his way out, with West Ham open to offers for the Czech international.

Since joining in 2020, Soucek has been a dependable presence in midfield.

However, given West Ham’s ongoing struggles in that area, a change appears necessary.

If a significant offer arrives, the Hammers should capitalize on the opportunity and offload the 30-year-old.

Additionally, Guido Rodríguez, who has barely featured under Potter, should also be moved on.

With a midfield overhaul urgently needed, West Ham must part ways with underperforming players and bring in fresh talent like Rigg to revitalize the squad.