West Ham ready to accept ‘good Vladimir Coufal offer’ – Insider
West Ham right-back Vladimir Coufal is attracting interest from European clubs ahead of the January transfer window, according to the club’s former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked as a senior scout at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that a deal could be reached next month.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 2 December that Coufal is set to be offered a new contract at the London Stadium, but no agreement has been made yet.
The 32-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and he will be free to entertain talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract deal in January.
Now, Brown has revealed that a number of European clubs have been keeping a close eye on his situation despite a lack of interest in England.
Coufal has been displaced from the starting XI under Julen Lopetegui following Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s arrival from Man United in the summer.
He has started just five of his ten appearances in all competitions so far this season, while two of his three league starts came in August, before Wan-Bissaka had reached full fitness.
European clubs plot move for West Ham star Vladimir Coufal
As a result of his lessening impact on the first-team, there have been suggestions that he could move on in search of more regular football in the latter stages of his career.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in player recruitment at the top level after spending over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the right-back may be forced to leave England to find more game time.
“Coufal has been a solid player for them,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s been out of the team recently because they’ve got Wan-Bissaka, who would be an asset for any Premier League team in my opinion.
“But Coufal doesn’t seem to have a place in the side any more and his contract is coming to an end.
“I’m told there are a few clubs in Europe who would be interested in signing him.
“They can offer him regular football which he isn’t getting at West Ham any more.
“I can’t see him going to another Premier League club at this stage, but he’s a good professional and gives you everything he’s got.
“If a good offer arrives in January, I can see them taking it, but if not he might decide to leave at the end of the season in search of first-team football.”
In other news, Keith Wyness lifts lid on potential Qatar takeover at the London Stadium.
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