Report: West Ham close to signing £4m man, despite his brand new contract

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West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Vladimir Coufal from Czech champions Slavia Prague, according to the Standard.

Just a few weeks ago, one of the many right-backs to be linked with a move to the London Stadium appeared to bring an end to any speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract in the Czech capital.

“It’s clear to me, I want to stay with Slavia for the next four years,” Coufal told Idnes in August.

“When they want to get rid of me, I’ll go. But I’m very happy here and I will never run anywhere.”

But perhaps Slavia do want to ‘get rid’ of a man who has been lined up for a reunion with his former teammate Tomas Soucek in England.

The Standard reports that West Ham are back in the race for Coufal’s signature and, with a deal apparently close with just a few days remaining until the window slams shut, we can only assume that Slavia have decided to cash in while the 28-year-old is at the peak of his powers.

The Independent had suggested in July that Coufal would cost around £4 million.

Pocket change for West Ham but potentially a valuable windfall for Slavia – particularly as his market value will decrease the closer he gets to 30.

Coufal has begun the 2020/21 in fine style, contributing three assists in just six games.

It is surely no coincidence that West Ham have stepped up their interest after Ryan Fredericks, David Moyes’ first-choice right-back, limped off with a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 4-0 thumping of Wolves.