Vladimir Coufal has been touted as a possible summer signing for Everton – a link he has discussed while on international duty this month
Vladimir Coufal has discussed the potential for a move to Everton in the summer. The West Ham United full-back was a key part of David Moyes’ success with the Hammers and is out of contract at the end of the season.
There has been speculation the Blues could look to the right back to solve the club’s longstanding issues in that position as the club prepares a significant squad rebuild ahead of the move to its stunning new stadium.
Coufal left the door open to a reunion with Moyes while on international duty with the Czech Republic during this international break.
READ MORE: Jarrad Branthwaite and Everton transfer theory has already been blown out of the waterREAD MORE: Abdoulaye Doucoure speaks out on Everton contract and makes emotional admission over futureSpeaking to the outlet MF DNES while with the national team, he said of a move to Merseyside: “When I am free, anything can happen. But my priority is England, the best league in the world. I want to prove to myself week after week that I have what it takes.”
Coufal would jump at the chance to remain in England but whether he would end up at Finch Farm is in question. While Moyes trusted him as he led West Ham to Europa Conference League success, one of his jobs this summer is to find a long-term solution to the right back position.
This season, Everton have relied on 39-year-old Ashley Young and club captain Seamus Coleman, now 36 and who has suffered persistent injury problems. Both are out of contract in the summer, though Coleman at least will have the chance to remain in some capacity.
Nathan Patterson could represent a long term solution but has recently returned from the latest injury setback to blight his time at Everton and Moyes has instead turned to centre back Jake O’Brien. The towering Republic of Ireland international has enjoyed success on the right of the defence but Moyes has acknowledged he sees his future in the middle.
Set to turn 33 in August, Coufal would represent another short-term answer. Meanwhile, the player has made clear he would prefer to stay in London if the opportunity presented itself – as it did in January.
In his interview, retrieved through Sport Witness, he spoke of Fulham making a deadline day approach for him. He said: “In the dressing room after the match [against Chelsea], I look at my phone and there are four missed calls from my agent [Karol Kisel]. Plus, a message: Call me immediately… Fulham offered great conditions. Karol asked: ‘Would you like it?’ And I said: ‘Why not, if there’s no use at West Ham.’”
Having fallen out of favour with Julen Lopetegui and being moved to a central position under new boss Graham Potter, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka consolidating his position at right back, Coufal, who has missed his side’s last five games with a thigh injury, said he was frustrated when the move was blocked.
He added: “I’ll be 33 [next season] and it made sense to me, although I love West Ham and could imagine finishing my career there.
“As for Fulham, I would stay in the Premier League and even in London. We really like it there. My son has started playing in the West Ham academy and is doing better than I expected. My daughter will be going to school next year. How do I explain to them that we are moving to a completely different place? That is why I need to hear from West Ham so that I can consider what to do next.”
