West Ham United‘s transfer focus has shifted, with a full-back signing emerging as a priority alongside their search for a striker.
The departure of Ben Johnson has left West Ham with just Vladimir Coufal, Emerson Palmieri, and Aaron Cresswell as their options at full-back. These players are all on the older side raising concerns about their ability to maintain peak performance.
Coufal’s unhappiness with his contract situation and reported interest from Galatasaray further highlighted the need for reinforcements in the full-back position.
A: surprising twist emerged with reports suggesting Coufal now desires to stay and impress new manager Lopetegui. However, this might come too late.
West Ham seems to be actively pursuing other options. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth confirms their interest in Kyle Walker-Peters, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and even Italian right-back Raoul Bellanova.
Sheth suggests that regardless of Coufal’s change of heart, West Ham is determined to recruit a new first-choice right-back.
Reports from Italy suggest West Ham has approached Torino regarding Bellanova, but the Italian club seems unwilling to sell.
While Coufal’s desire to stay might be a positive development, West Ham’s pursuit of other targets casts doubt on his future as a starter. He could potentially be a valuable back-up option, but his acceptance of this role remains to be seen.
Depending on Coufal’s situation and the success of their pursuits, West Ham might need to sign two new full-backs to address the aging of this position in their squad.
I do particularly agree with you but he seems to always play better accompanying soucek and I can’t see Soucek getting as much play time now.
He is hard working but isn’t great defensively and if he wants more money then we are better off getting a better younger player in as well as our development squad tested as you mentioned.
LP will have our development squad mirroring our senior formation set up .
I thought that was the case anyway?
I feel like I’m in the minority standing up for Vlad and his performances over the past couple of seasons. Yes he was found wanting at times, especially in the last Liverpool game where Diaz had him on toast, but he remains a very good uncompromising and hard-working right back with plenty to offer both ends of the pitch. That being said one senior right back with only a year left on his contract is not good so we do need to find a “Johnson replacement”. Great point on Scarles however the U21’s play with a back three so I believe he’s been playing wing-back for most of the time he’s been on the pitch and he’s left footed of course.
Where is ollie scarles on this list