West Ham United hit gold with their bargain last-ditch transfer to sign Vladimir Coufal, but David Moyes had also explored a deal for Rangers captain James Tavernier last year.
The Hammers hit the market on the eve of Deadline Day last October to bring Coufal to the Premier League. He followed Czech Republic teammate Tomes Soucek in joining West Ham from Slavia Prague for £5.5m. A price that now seems stunningly low for the 29-year-old.
Coufal is an ever-present part of the London Stadium natives’ plans with 41 Premier League appearances in claret-and-blue so far. Moyes has only rested the right-back once since his English top-flight debut, while playing 3,685 of a possible 3,690-minutes.
But while Coufal is the undisputed first-choice at West Ham, Moyes had explored a possible transfer for Rangers’ Tavernier, too. That’s according to TEAMtalk who reported last year that the Irons were weighing up a bid ahead of Deadline Day.
Tavernier is still yet to extend his £14k-a-week contract at Ibrox that expires in 2022 since West Ham’s interest. However, Steven Gerrard’s side will be loath to lose the 29-year-old after he helped win the Premiership title last season.
Tavernier was a creative force as Rangers ended Celtic’s dominance, recording 16 assists in all competitions, while scoring 19 goals. Seven of his 12 Premiership efforts and his two Europa League strikes came from the penalty spot.
Tavernier shows West Ham what they’re missing at Rangers
Tavernier continues to show at Rangers what West Ham are missing after favouring a deal for Coufal last year. He has captained the Gers back into the Europa League group stage after falling short in their Champions League qualifier.
The former Newcastle United full-back has also offered four assists and a goal in 12 games across all competitions. Only missing four games – twice after testing positive for covid – as Gerrard looks to manage his workload.
But West Ham will have no regrets over targeting Coufal over Tavernier, with the Czech ace a tireless workhorse. Delivering dangerous crosses into the box, and tracking back to sniff out any danger at the other end.
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