Vladimir Coufal set for £6m West Ham exit after new reveal – ‘he’s clearly not happy’, pundit says
Noel Whelan has urged West Ham to sell Vladimir Coufal in January as he reportedly angles for a potential return to Europe.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Irons shouldn’t force the 30-year-old to stay if he doesn’t want to fight for a starting berth.
According to Sky Germany journalist Marlon Irlbacher (14 November), the Czechia international has held “positive talks” with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen about joining in the coming transfer windows.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (25 November) that West Ham are willing to sell Coufal for £6million in January but have not yet been in contact with Leverkusen.
The right-back is currently out of contract at the end of the season, but the Irons have a two-year option to extend his London Stadium stay.
Coufal, who impressed following his 2020 arrival from Sparta Prague, has lost his starting berth to Thilo Kehrer and Ben Johnson in recent months.
Whelan suggested West Ham are best getting a fee for the right-back in order to reinvest in coming windows.
He told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “If a player wants a move and is pushing for a move, it’s hard to stop them.
“You’re not going to get the best out of someone who is talking to other clubs and having that distraction.
“He’s at a good club, but he’s clearly not happy with the amount of game time he’s getting at the moment.
“If he doesn’t want to stay and fight for his place, then that’s not the type of player you want.
“It’s best to let someone like that go, try and get a fee in – and go out and get someone new.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire expects “auction” for West Ham as “deal of the century” cited.