Vladimir Coufal has been one of West Ham’s most consistent players this season but Tim Steidten has plans for his successor.
Ask any West Ham fan where the club needs to strengthen most and right-back won’t be far from the top of the list.
Vladimir Coufal has been a superb signing for the Hammers. Costing less than £5m from Slavia Prague he has been one of the bargain buys of West Ham’s Premier League era.
Time waits for no man, though. And warrior Coufal isn’t getting any younger, turning 32 at the start of next season.
Warrior Coufal not getting any younger
Although rare, there are games where that shows. The manager has no quality back-up beyond Coufal. Ben Johnson has been up and down and looks set to leave this summer.
So the need for new star in that position who can be the club’s right-back for years to come will be even more acute.
Well fear not Hammers fans because it seems our ‘pearl diver’ technical director is on the case.
Tim Steidten already has a Coufal heir lined up as a report claims West Ham want Raoul Bellanova.
Technical director eyeing athletic modern right-back
According to TMW, promising Italian right-back Bellanova is high on Steidten’s list of targets for the right-back position.
He Bellanova is currently a teammate of former Hammer Nikola Vlasic at Torino.
The Serie A side bought the 23-year-old last summer for just €7 million (£5m), but his valuation has already tripled off the back of a superb campaign.
It’s no wonder Steidten wants Bellanova. An excellent dribbler of the ball, Bellanova is also an excellent crosser and does not dive into tackles.
Bellanova is athletic, a powerful runner and very much a modern right-back.
Others interested but Hammers can offer more game time
He has been one of the top performers for Torino this season, chipping in with a goal and five assists too.
The report claims Aston Villa and Manchester United are also interested in the right-back.
But West Ham have the lure of London and more guaranteed game time given the options both those clubs already have in that position.
Targeting a player of Bellanova’s skillset and age makes perfect sense for West Ham.
He can come in and learn from the vastly experienced Coufal as he finds his feet in the Premier League.
Certainly an exciting link as West Ham face another busy summer off the back of having the joint smallest squad in the top flight with only 22 players.