By Sam Stone

21st Nov, 2022 | 7:10am

West Ham United ready to go in different direction with Vladimir Coufal exit - Dharmesh Sheth

Vladimir Coufal could be allowed to leave West Ham United in the January window with the Hammers looking to move in a “different direction”, according to Dharmesh Sheth.

Sky Sports journalist Marlon Irlbacher reported (14 November) Coufal had held positive talks with Bayer Leverkusen, with the 30-year-old keen on the move to the Bundesliga side.

Sheth has since revealed a source at the London Stadium has suggested a January move could be on the cards with the Hammers now happy for the Czech Republic international to depart.

The Sky Sports reporter said (20 November, GIVEMESPORT): “That is definitely one to look out for [Coufal exit].

“There’s somebody I’ve been speaking to about Coufal and the feeling I’m getting is that the January transfer window could be one where West Ham will say ‘thank you for your service, but we’re going to move in a different direction and we’re going to allow you to go’.”

Makes sense

An exit for Coufal does seem to make sense, with his playing time taking a hit this season. Thilo Kehrer has been preferred by David Moyes, with the Germany international operating primarily in the right-back position. Coufal has been an unused substitute in six of the last eight games for West Ham.

He’s also at a stage in his career where he will want to be playing regularly and a move to the Bundesliga could open up a chance for more minutes for the full-back. If he does depart, then the Hammers could potentially look to add another right back to their ranks.

Kehrer and Ben Johnson are good options to utilise, but a more attack-minded player could be required down the right-hand side.

Harrison Ashby’s uncertain future also means a right-back could become a transfer priority for Moyes in the upcoming January window. Although, it does remain to be seen how much the Scot will be backed when the market does open on 1 January.