If West Ham United had accepted an offer from a Premier League rival back in January, Vladimir Coufal’s desire to extend his spell in England’s top flight would have already become a reality.
As it is, the Hammers rejected that approach instead. And some six months later, the veteran Czech defender finds himself without a club heading towards the beginning of pre-season.
Vladimir Coufal’s contract officially expires today.
He knew that his time was up at the London Stadium, however, as far back as mid-May. Graham Potter informed Coufal he would be leaving on the eve of that 2-0 win at Manchester United.
Any hopes he may have harboured about capital city neighbours Fulham renewing the interest they showed during the winter window, meanwhile, look set to go up in smoke.
Fulham FC v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images
Vladimir Coufal wants to stay in the Premier League after West Ham United exit
Now, while Vladimir Coufal’s agent explains that all options will be considered this summer, the former Slavia Prague ace clearly has a preferred destination in mind.
“I have a certain wish, but it probably won’t come true,” Coufal told Czech publication Idnes at the beginning of the summer.
“There are preferences. It would be ideal to stay in England. That would be the priority, but there are other options. I would like Spain, where it’s warm.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
“And the Czech league? I’m not talking about returning at all.”
Coufal also opened up on his failed move to Craven Cottage. West Ham rejected a number of bids from Fulham late in the winter window, per talkSPORT.
And, while the Hammers missed out on the chance to make any sort of windfall from a player who would leave on a free a few months later, you can also understand the logic.
Letting Coufal go, when relegation was still a very real possibility and time to find a replacement was sparse, may have felt like a risk not worth the presumably paltry fee Fulham were prepared to pay.
“[West Ham turning down Fulham’s approach in January was] part of football,” a forgiving Coufal would reflect. “They told me they wouldn’t let me leave and I’ve gotten over it.”
Fabrizio Romano watches on during Bayer 04 Leverkusen v FC Internazionale Milano - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Fulham to retain Kenny Tete but David Moyes’ Everton is still an option
Coufal, though, is far from the only experienced, dependable right-back whose contract expires on the first of July. Kenny Tete is in the same boat.
But, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Tete is now expected to sign fresh terms down the road at Craven Cottage, the return of a Fulham fan favourite means Coufal is unlikely to receive a phone call from Marco Silva any time soon.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Tete, one of the most consistent and underrated performers in the whole of the Premier League, is now edging towards staying at Fulham despite coming within touching distance of a move to Everton.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Understand Fulham are now closing in on the agreement with Kenny Tete over new contract.
Formal steps still needed but Fulham now confident after Everton proposal almost accepted. pic.twitter.com/G6hZyLj0mT
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 30, 2025
View Tweet
Coufal’s hopes of remaining in England, ironically, could now come down to his former boss at the London Stadium.
David Moyes’ Everton appear to have missed out on the aforementioned Tete. A blow for Coufal’s Fulham hopes, but a boost for his chances of a reunion with the Hammers’ old Conference League-winning boss.
Moyes reportedly wants to work with Coufal again, with the defender’s close friend and long-time teammate Tomas Soucek also potentially swapping London for Liverpool.
In terms of potential replacements, meanwhile, West Ham reportedly like Oliver Braude of Heerenveen. Another free-agent, ex-Southampton wideman Kyle Walker-Peters, is another, more low-risk, option under consideration.