West Ham starting and then halting contract talks with Tomas Soucek "doesn't make any sense", according to former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer.

The Czech Republic international has around two years remaining on his current deal and is thought to want a new one.

What is the latest news involving Soucek?

According to Claret & Hugh, Tottenham are monitoring Soucek, who has caught the attention of Spurs manager Antonio Conte.

This comes after 90min claimed last month that the 27-year-old's future at the London Stadium is in doubt after David Moyes intervened in contract talks.

The football website states that Moyes has told his superiors that Soucek does not warrant a new deal at this time, hence the postponement of discussions.

Soucek has been a key midfielder for West Ham this season, playing almost 50 games for the Hammers, so you could not blame the former Slavia Prague man if he felt disgruntled with the whole ordeal.

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What has Palmer said about Soucek's contract situation?

Palmer has told GIVEMESPORT that the reports about Soucek do not make much sense and thinks the Hammers may just be waiting until the summer to give him a new deal.

Speaking to GMS, the ex-Leeds United and Southampton player said: "Why would they be entering into contract talks and then stopping the contract talks because he doesn't warrant a new deal? That doesn't make any sense to me.

"I think maybe he might be asking for too much money in terms of what Moyes feels his worth is. They've got an important time coming up; maybe they've just shelved talks until the summer, which would make sense."

Should West Ham offer Soucek a new deal?

Honestly, it should probably be a priority as he approaches the final two years of his current contract. As already mentioned, Soucek has been an extremely important player for West Ham this season after playing so many games.

Soucek has not been as much of a goal threat as he was last season, where he scored 10 goals in 38 appearances. This term, he has just the five at this stage of the campaign, so it is unlikely that he reaches double figures again.

However, the £40.5m-rated star continues to be a beast in the middle of the park. With 3.8, he is winning the most aerial duels per league game in West Ham's squad, while only Declan Rice (1.7) is making more interceptions than the Czech defensive midfielder (1.5, per WhoScored).

Keeping Rice at Rush Green this summer will obviously be the Hammers' priority, but retaining Soucek also needs to be high on their agenda.