After much confusion, a well-connected journalist made a worrying claim about Vladimir Coufal’s West Ham contract situation.
West Ham face a very busy summer with a host of signings needed in key positions.
So the last thing they need is unexpected departures making that problem more acute.
One player officially listed on Transfermarkt as out of contract this summer is right-back Vladimir Coufal.
There has been much bemusement over Coufal’s situation at West Ham.
It is not helped by West Ham’s bizarre secrecy around contracts.
Agent had hit out after secret Coufal extension
In January The Sun carried quotes from Coufal’s agent claiming the right-back was furious after West Ham took up a one-year extension option in his contract to maintain his current salary until 2025.
The agent stated his client felt he deserved better.
It has been quiet on the Coufal front since. And he has been one of the club’s top performers on the pitch this season. So many fans may have assumed all was rosy again.
But now The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas has issued an update.
Worrying new claim made about key star’s situation
And he has made a very worrying claim about Coufal’s situation after the confusion.
Thomas has confirmed Coufal’s contract was indeed extended by a year back in January. But the 31-year-old defender remains unhappy with the situation and may look to move this summer.
“He was annoyed at not being offered improved terms — which he felt he deserved,” Thomas reports.
“Then this month, the club did propose a two-year extension that included a pay rise but they have so far failed to reach an agreement with his representative.
Last thing Hammers need is having to make another signing
“The right-back, who had interest from an unnamed Premier League club during the recent winter transfer window, intends to reassess his long-term future in the summer.”
The Hammers already need a new young, modern right-back in the summer to share the load with Coufal.
So losing the reliable, experienced Czech and possibly needing to sign two is the last thing Tim Steidten and the manager need with so many other areas to strengthen.
Meanwhile Coufal has recorded an astonishing ‘best in Europe’ stat for West Ham this season.