West Ham United face Vladimir Coufal transfer battle as Galatasaray update emerges
Galatasaray are showing keen interest in signing Vladimir Coufal this summer, with the West Ham United defender now on the Turkish club’s wishlist, according to Mehmet Ozcan
Speaking via Turkish media outlet A Sport [28 June], Ozcan stated that 24-time Turkish champions Galatasaray are on the hunt for a new right-back and have identified the Hammers man, who has just one year left on his current contract.
West Ham need to strengthen their defence in the summer, and Julen Lopetegui will need to bring in at least two or three new centre-backs. Additionally, he may look to sign one or two full-backs.
The Hammers defender had been competing at Euro 2024 with the Czech Republic until their elimination this week.
Should West Ham United cash in on Vladimir Coufal?
The Turkish club are keen to capitalise on Coufal’s contract situation, particularly as they plan to release Serge Aurier at the end of the month.
However, since joining the Hammers from Slavia Prague in the summer of 2020, Coufal has been an invaluable asset to the team.
He played regularly under David Moyes, making 155 appearances for the Hammers across all competitions in the past four years.
Last season, he appeared in 47 matches in all competitions, with Moyes favouring him over Ben Johnson. However, it remains to be seen what the future holds for him under Lopetegui.
As a senior player at the club, Lopetegui could see the 31-year-old as a leader with ample experience on his side.
With Johnson set to leave the club to join Ipswich Town on a free transfer, losing Coufal would mean the Hammers would need to secure two new full-backs before the new season starts.
At the same time, Coufal is not getting any younger, and this might be the best opportunity for the Hammers to sell him and reinvest the money into the squad.
West Ham are unlikely to offer him a long-term contract, so selling him now seems to be a sensible decision.
In other West Ham news, rival Premier League clubs are circling the London Stadium with an exit for Mohammed Kudus mooted.
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