Vladimir Coufal ‘torn’ as transfer terms great to quit West Ham United
Vladimir Coufal sees his West Ham contract expire at the end of the season, leaving question marks over his future.
Since joining the Hammers back in 2020, Coufal has gone on to become a popular figure with the fans and a key member of the squad.
However, this season, the 32-year-old has made just 15 Premier League appearances as a result of both injury and being an unused substitute.
Coufal reveals West Ham transfer move
Graham Potter will be eager to get going in the summer transfer window, as his movements were limited in the winter.
Coufal has been unavailable of late due to suffering from an injury, so it’s hard to know how his manager really feels about him.
With his contract expiring in the summer, though, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka doing well at right-back, it does seem as though an exit could be on the cards.
Coufal has now revealed that he was given the opportunity to join Fulham at the end of the winter window, and West Ham blocked the move.
In an interview with Czech news outlet iDNES (25 March), the defender admitted: “I’m torn about all this because West Ham didn’t let me go to Fulham on deadline day. I guess not many people know about this.
“In the dressing room after the match [against Chelsea], I look at my phone and there are four missed calls from my agent. Plus, a message: Call me immediately.
“Fulham offered great conditions. Karol [his agent] asked: Would you like it? And I said: ‘Why not, if there’s no use at West Ham?’.
“I’ll be 33 and it made sense to me, although I love West Ham and could imagine finishing my career there.”
West Ham can part ways with Coufal
You can understand why Coufal would be a bit frustrated if he had a move blocked by West Ham in the winter window but didn’t have a major part to play at The London Stadium.
| Season | Apperances |
| 2024/25 | 15 |
| 2023/24 | 36 |
| 2022/23 | 27 |
| 2021/22 | 28 |
| 2020/21 | 34 |
However, when you consider the position that the Irons were in and the fact that they didn’t have the resources for mass recruitment, Potter had to protect his team and make sure there was depth.
The East London outfit has had a ridiculous number of injuries this term, which has not made it easy for anything to get going under new management.
On that basis, why would they let another player go to a Premier League rival on the final day of the window with no opportunity to find a replacement?
Coufal is now sidelined with an injury issue, and at 32-years-old to sign him on another deal seems like a risk that is not worth taking.
Wan-Bissaka has been more than convincing at right-back, and if the boss wants squad depth in that area, he is better off going for a younger player who can be ready to take his chance instead.
Coufal has done plenty for the Irons over the years, but a departure seems like the right move for both parties at this stage.