Leeds United keen on move for West Ham player with 53 international caps | OneFootball

It has been reported that Leeds United are rivalling Everton for the signing of Vladimir Coufal, who is being released by West Ham United.

Leeds United are embarking upon what is expected to be a very busy summer transfer window and the Whites have now shown a reported interest in Czechia international right-back Vladimir Coufal.

Daniel Farke led the Yorkshire giants to his third Championship title this season and, after a brief period of time when it was speculated that he could be sacked, he is now instead set to be backed with £150 million to spend in the summer transfer window.

As they prepare for another season back in the top-flight, the intention for Leeds is to ensure they bring in the requisite quality in order to keep themselves up after successive seasons whereby the three newly-promoted sides from the Championship have been immediately relegated.

The potential arrival of a 32-year-old defender with nearly 150 Premier League appearances to his name would therefore appear to be a shrewd addition to their squad.

Leeds United interested in West Ham's Vladimir Coufal but they are not alone

According to talkSPORT, Leeds are rivalling Everton to sign Coufal, with the report suggesting the Championship title winners are keen on bringing in players with more top-flight experience to their squad.

It is suggested that Leeds’ biggest rivals for the Czech right-back are Everton, with Coufal’s former West Ham manager David Moyes still a big admirer of the former Slavia Prague man.

As well as both Leeds and Everton, it is also reported that Fulham had several bids rejected for Coufal in the winter transfer window and so it could well be that the Cottagers join both Leeds and Everton in the race to sign him.

Coufal is one of four first-team players set to depart the London Stadium at the end of their respective contracts this summer alongside Lukasz Fabianski, Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings.

Coufal, who began his top-flight career in Czechia with Slovan Liberec, joined West Ham in the summer of 2020 for a fee believed to be in the region of £5.4 million from Slavia Prague.

He has gone on to make 177 appearances for the Irons since arriving in England and was crucial as they won the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League.

Leeds United have been linked with many players so far - Vladimir Coufal may be the most realistic option yet

It is still extremely early in this summer’s transfer window and Leeds will expect to get some deals over the line, with the Whites being linked with several players such as San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orlando Gill and centre-back Leonardo Balerdi of Olympique de Marseille.

However, they have seemingly fallen behind Marseille in the race to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent deal, with it being reported by Sacha Tavolieri that Solomon has given the “green light” to a move to the Stade Velodrome.

As well as that, the Yorkshire Evening Post have reported that a move for Everton striker Beto is now unlikely, whilst Japan international Hidemasa Morita is now reportedly back in negotiations over a new contract at Sporting CP amid apparent Leeds interest.

There appears to be plenty of snubbings going on so far, yet a move for Coufal, who could cover both full-back positions, might be the most realistic yet, and also a sensible kind of deal too.

He has plenty of Premier League experience and has proved this season that he is still useful at top flight level, so if Leeds win the battle for his services, then he would be a good fit at Elland Road.