West Ham United: Vladimir Coufal exit looking likely after Raoul Bellanova transfer news
Vladimir Coufal may be closer to the West Ham exit if news that has emerged from Italy in the past 24 hours is anything to go by.
According to Tuttosport [23 March], West Ham sent a member of staff to watch Torino defender Raoul Bellanova up close last weekend. Bellanova has caught the eye with his performances in Serie A and is also said to be wanted by Manchester United and Aston Villa.
The fact the Irons have actively started eyeing up right-sided defenders could be in part down to the uncertain future of Coufal.
David Moyes has regularly used the Czech Republic international this season, starting him in 27 of United’s 29 Premier League matches.
However, Coufal’s agent revealed in January that the player is not happy with his current salary, having had his contract automatically extended.
As things stand, the 31-year-old will have another season to run on his London Stadium deal come the end of the 2023-24 campaign
With no further option to extend that, unless fresh terms are agreed, it may well be that that the Irons cash in and seek a replacement.
Bellanova certainly ticks plenty of boxes in terms of a replacement, not least the fact he can play both right-back and right wing-back.
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Indeed, there are stark similarities between the two in terms of their styles of play. Coufal averages 0.26 goals and assists per 90 minutes, compared to 0.23 for Bellanova [FBref].
They also tackle at an identical rate in the final third (0.08 per 90) and average a very similar number of touches per 90 (59 for Coufal, 55 for Bellanova).
West Ham are being proactive with their transfer business, which is great to see, and it may well be that Bellanova proves an upgrade on Coufal.
