Bayer Leverkusen hold positive talks with West Ham’s Vladimír Coufal

Positive discussions between Bayer Leverkusen and West Ham United right-back Vladimír Coufal have taken place, according to Sky Germany’s Marlon Irlbacher. A delegation from B04 recently travelled to London to conduct initial talks.

Irlbacher reports that Coufal can imagine joining the Bundesliga club but at the moment, Bayer Leverkusen are prioritising a new left-back and a defensive-midfielder.

Inter’s Robin Gosens (28), who missed out on Germany’s World Cup squad, is a top priority for Die Werkself but they face competition from Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Gosens is currently valued at €25m by Inter with a contract until 2026 – a potential workaround for this would be a loan with an obligation to buy. The German has also made is clear that he would like to leave in search of playing time.

Although not top priority at the moment, strengthening at right-back is an area that Xabi Alonso would like to address. Jeremie Frimpong now plays an advanced role whilst Timothy Fosu-Mensah may also depart in January.

Coufal has a contract until 2023 but West Ham have the option to extend the deal by a further two-years until 2025, meaning Bayer Leverkusen may have to submit a larger fee than planned.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder