CandH Exclusive by Hughie Southon

New reports that Vladimir Coufal could be on his way from West Ham with Bayer Leverkusen ready to swoop have been entirely denied by the Irons.

It was even suggested by Sky Deutschland that officials from the club were on their way to London this weekend to broker the deal with the Hammers.

But the reality is this appears to be nothing whatsoever in the story.

Coufal – with a two-year option on his contract which runs out in June next year, but Claret and Hugh have been told by an ever-reliable source inside the London Stadium the latest story can be entirely dismissed and that as things stand the full back will remain at the club.

We contacted him as soon as the story broke as there seemed a possibility there may be something in it but were immediately told: “We have heard nothing whatsoever from any club in Germany or anywhere else.”