When David Moyes returned to Everton, it was widely accepted he would look to West Ham for potential familiar faces when the transfer window opens in the summer.
The Scot has previous, after all, given his decision to sign Marouane Fellaini from Everton when he left Goodison Park to take the Manchester United job. The Belgian was a key player for the Toffees under Moyes, so not many eyebrows were raised when he took him to Old Trafford.
So it’s understandable that many people have been predicting that he will do a similar thing this summer, by going back to a club where he arguably enjoyed the most successful years of his long managerial career for reinforcements.
Many have believed that to be Tomas Soucek, who Moyes signed as a relatively unknown midfielder from Slavia Prague in 2020. The Czech has gone on to be a revelation in east London ever since, scoring 39 goals in 237 appearances in all competitions.
However, while many believed Soucek’s days at London Stadium would be numbered when Moyes left the club at the end of last season, he has remained a vital member of the team as Graham Potter continues to benefit from the midfielder’s goalscoring abilities; Soucek has scored seven goals in 30 appearances this season.
As a result, it’s no longer a given that West Ham would entertain any interest for Soucek this summer and even if they did, it would no doubt cost a buyer much a big fee.
But another player is being linked with a possible Moyes reunion, one which seems far more realistic at this stage.
Vladimir Coufal hints at Everton switch
Vladimir Coufal has struggled for consistent game time this season, firstly due to the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and then because of injury.
Under both Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter, his role in the squad has been limited to just 18 appearances in all competitions this season, 11 of which have been starts.
To put his declining importance to the team into perspective, the Czech right-back made 47 appearances last season and missed only two Premier League fixtures.
With his contract expiring at the end of this season, it’s looking increasingly likely that Coufal will not be offered fresh terms to remain in east London, so it’s likely he will be Moyes’ radar as the Everton manager looks at what recruitment he can do in his first summer back at the club.
And Coufal has refused to rule out a move to Everton, even doubling down on his determination to remain in England prove himself.
He said, via Everton.News, when asked about links to Everton: “When I am free, anything can happen.
“But my priority is England, the best league in the world. I want to prove myself week after week that I have what it takes.”
Coufal has indeed proven he has what it takes to compete in the Premier League. Despite not scoring for West Ham, the right-back has registered 20 assists across four-and-a-half seasons in east London, making 140 appearances in the Premier League and 21 in Europe.