Vladimir Coufal explains why he did not leave West Ham after Leverkusen talks

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Vladimir Coufal admits he held talks with Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen but now hopes to stay in the Premier League with West Ham United.

With the Czech Republic international starting just one of the Hammers’ last eight league games before the Qatar World Cup, it seemed only a matter of time before Coufal was saying his goodbyes during the subsequent transfer window.

Coufal even said, at the time, that he was not happy with his lack of game time under David Moyes. 

But, after working his way back into the West Ham XI, the £5.4 million signing from Slavia Prague now appears to have his heart set on earning a new deal in the English capital, his current contract expiring in July. 

Bayer Leverkusen like West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal

“I don’t know where (that) came from,” Coufal tells Sport when quizzed about reports suggesting he was no longer wanted at the London Stadium. “Nobody said anything like that to my face and I think manager David Moyes would.  

“Right after the World Cup, he called me and said that I was important to him, that it was a mistake that I didn’t play a few matches. He held me and said that if I had planned to leave somewhere, he wouldn’t let me go.

“Now I want to stay in England as long as possible. If I had to leave and if health, age and performances allow it, I would like to try another western league. And if not, then somewhere warm!”

Bayer Leverkusen reportedly see Coufal as a potential replacement for Jeremie Frimpong; the one-time Celtic right-back who has been linked with Manchesetr United and Real Madrid. 

Coufal admits that talks with the Bundesliga giants did indeed take place. But, having rebuffed their advances in January, you can expect to see Xabi Alonso’s side look elsewhere going forward. 

“There was interest (from Leverkusen),” Coufal says. “People from the club came to see, some negotiations took place. At Bayer, they were deciding whether Jeremie Frimpong would leave.

“Of course, it attracted me in a way. Leverkusen is an elite German team, there are two Czech boys in the squad (Adam Hlozek and Patrik Schick). They play interesting football.

“But maybe it would be a step back. Not from a team point of view, but from a competition point of view. The Premier League is the best in my eyes. So I preferred to stay. I’m happy to have earned a place in the West Ham squad.”