By Wayne Veysey

23rd Sep, 2023 | 12:23pm

Sources: West Ham set sights on Spanish star to replace Tomas Soucek

West Ham are keeping tabs on Celta Vigo midfielder Fran Beltran, sources have told Football Insider.

The 24-year-old is on the radar of the Irons as they assess the market for defensive midfielders.

Beltran has caught the eye of the club’s scouting network for his ability to break up play, win back possession and launch attacks.

The one-time Spain international is regarded as a player who is a specialist at pressing and defending midfield spaces.

The market for midfield anchormen has been transformed this year and West Ham benefitted from this with the £105million summer sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

West Ham signed two senior central midfielders in the summer, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse.

But Tomas Soucek, who remains a regular starter, is out of contract next summer and has yet to agree an extension.

Soucek has made five appearances across all competitions this term and has been in the starting lineup for four of those outings, netting one goal and offering up one assist so far.

The Czech international made 50 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions last season in a campaign that saw them win the Europa Conference League but struggle in the league.

Ward-Prowse has started every game for the Irons since his arrival last month and has managed at least an attacking return in each of those outings.

The former Southampton captain has scored two goals and offered up six assists so far this term.

In other news, Multiple clubs ready to swoop for striker if West Ham talks collapse.