West Ham United: Agent makes admission on Vladimir Coufal future at London Stadium
The agent of Vladimir Coufal has confirmed the full-back is “not happy” about his contract situation at West Ham.
West Ham triggered a one-year extension in the Czech’s deal, meaning he is under contract at London Stadium until the end of next season.
According to The Mirror [2 January], Coufal’s wages are around £35,000 a week, which is well below United’s highest earners.
That led to reports the defender is unsettled, and agent Karol Kisel has now admitted as much.
Speaking to inFotbalu, as per The Mirror [2 January], Kisel said: “Cuf certainly deserves a better salary from the club and a new, improved, longer-term contract for his long-term performances in the West Ham jersey, in addition to the title in the Conference League.
“So far, even after negotiations, West Ham’s management sees it differently and has only exercised the option of a one-year extension. Cuf is not happy about it as we expected a better offer.”
Messy situation
First and foremost, West Ham had every right to trigger the 12-month extension in Coufal’s contract.
Had they not, the Czech Republic international would have been free to speak to foreign clubs this month.
Now, United have reassurances that Coufal will still be under contract for another year come the summer.
United also had every right to offer the 31-year-old the wages they did, too, as they were what was agreed when he signed his past contract.
All that said, Coufal has been a key player under David Moyes and perhaps deserves to be given a pay rise to reflect that.
That is not to say Coufal should be paid the same as the highest earners at London Stadium, but he certainly should be in the band under that.
Coufal may be angling for a move away, but West Ham will surely refuse to let him leave given he is an everpresent under Moyes.
It may well be that the player and club sit down and discuss improved terms in the coming weeks to ensure this situation is swiftly resolved.
In other West Ham news, Richard Keys has spoken out on recent controversy surrounding the Hammers.