---
title: "Virals: West Ham ‘most convinced’ in Antonin Barak pursuit"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2022/01/04/virals-west-ham-most-convinced-in-antonin-barak-pursuit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2022-01-04T13:00:00Z"
modified: "2022-01-04T13:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: West Ham ‘most convinced’ in Antonin Barak pursuit

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2022/01/04/virals-west-ham-have-everton-full-back-lucas-digne-under-consideration/) have been named as the ‘most convinced’ club in pursuit of Hellas Verona midfielder [Antonin Barak](https://readwestham.com/2021/12/07/virals-west-ham-tipped-to-make-17m-january-move-for-antonin-barak/).

The Hammers have been [heavily linked](https://twitter.com/WestHamViews_/status/1476317044048027649) with the 27 year old for some time and could yet make their intentions known during the January transfer window.

> West Ham United are very keen on signing Antonin Barak, but Hellas Verona are opposed to selling him in the January transfer window.
>
> \[[@calciomercatoit](https://twitter.com/calciomercatoit?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\] [#WHUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#COYI](https://twitter.com/hashtag/COYI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/tIMY3Xj9kS](https://t.co/tIMY3Xj9kS)
>
> — West Ham News & Views (@WestHamViews\_) [December 29, 2021](https://twitter.com/WestHamViews_/status/1476317044048027649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

According to a fresh report from [Tuttomercatoweb](https://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/serie-a/il-punto-sul-mercato-dell-hellas-dalla-suggestione-miranchuk-al-sostituto-di-dawidowicz-1626617), the Hammers are the leading candidates to land Barak.

Signed for £5.4million in July 2021 from Serie A club Udinese ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/antonin-barak/transfers/spieler/272261)), the [28-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/antonin-barak/nationalmannschaft/spieler/272261/verein_id/3445) Czech Republic ace has enjoyed a strong start to life in Verona.

So far this season the attacking midfielder has [scored five times and provided three assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/antonin-barak/leistungsdaten/spieler/272261) in 16 appearances across all competitions – earning a [7.14 Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/antonin-barak/330705) from 15 league outings in the process.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Signing an additional midfield option shouldn’t be high on the list of [priorities](https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/transfer-news/) for David Moyes this month.

Despite [losing Said Benrahma](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/every-premier-league-player-afcon-25795971) to the Africa Cup of Nations, the Scot must instead focus on bringing a recognised centre-forward and central defender to the London Stadium.

Whilst the [£14.4million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/antonin-barak/marktwertverlauf/spieler/272261) Czech would provide a strong squad addition, with Nikola Vlasic, Manuel Lanzini and Pablo Fornals all capable of operating as an advanced midfielder, this is a deal best left alone.