West Ham United are in the market for a new right back – and it looks like they will get one in before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Ryan Fredericks picked up an injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, and Ben Johnson struggled against Everton last night.
On Tuesday, The Guardian reported that West Ham were targeting a last-gasp deal to sign Slavia Prague defender Vladimir Coufal, having targeted him earlier in the transfer window.
Coufal signed a new contract in August, but that hasn’t stopped West Ham from pursuing him – and they appear to have landed their man.
Shortly after West Ham’s defeat against Everton, Slavia Prague president Jaroslav Tvrdik took to Twitter to confirm a deal for Coufal is imminent.
Tvrdik claims he thanked Coufal after he played in Slavia’s 4-1 defeat to Midtjylland in the Champions League qualifiers, which was his final game for the club.
Tvrdik notes that West Ham are paying €6million (£5.5million) for the right back, and he will undergo a medical in London today.
‘I thanked the huge warrior Vladimir Coufal for his excellent work in Slavia. He transfers to West Ham United on the basis of a concluded contract. The condition of the transfer is a medical examination tomorrow in London. The transfer price is €6million,” said Tvrdik.
The signing of Coufal, 28, is reminiscent of the January deal for Tomas Soucek, with West Ham raiding Czech football and specifically Slavia for Premier League reinforcements.
Coufal has impressed going forward, scoring three times in 27 league games last season, whilst he has three assists in five league games this term.
He comes at a bargain price and now reunites with Soucek, as West Ham hope they have found another Soucek in Coufal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
