West Ham could reunite Lopetegui with 21-year-old Coufal replacement
Since arriving from Slavia Prague for a transfer fee of £5 million four years ago, Czech Republic international Vladimir Coufal has been an integral part of the West Ham defence. The 31-year-old has made 161 appearances for the Hammers and has played a key role in West Ham playing European football in three consecutive seasons, including winning the 2022/23 UEFA Conference League. With his impressive recovery pace and playmaking ability, Coufal provides defensive solidity as well as completes several key passes inside the final third.
However, the last season highlighted Coufal's struggles while defending and given the fact that he is 31-years-old, West Ham need to find a similar profile player as his replacement. Although the Hammers brought in Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka in this transfer window, the 26-year-old is a defensive right-back and the Hammers need a creative fullback in their team due to their recent goal scoring struggles. Now, West Ham can reunite manager Julen Lopetegui with a highly talented fullback, who has been turning heads with his performances in La Liga.
West Ham could reunite Lopetegui with 21-year-old Coufal replacement
Juanlu Sanchez is a 21-year-old right-back who came through the youth ranks at La Liga side Sevilla and made his first team debut under manager Julen Lopetegui in a 1-1 draw with Barcelona in 2021. Since then, the Spain U21 star has become a regular starter for Sevilla and made 26 appearances in La Liga last season, providing two assists. In this season, Juanlu has played in six league matches for Sevilla and scored a goal in the 2-2 draw with Las Palmas on the opening La Liga matchday.
West Ham set their sights on Juventus transfer target. West Ham set their sights on Juventus transfer target. dark. Next
Juanlu is a versatile fullback who is great at making key passes while going forward, thus is a similar player as compared to Coufal. Also, the 21-year-old has two years remaining on his Sevilla contract and Julen Lopetegui's side can sign him for a transfer fee of £20 million in the January transfer window. Now it remains to be seen whether the Hammers will make a transfer move to sign Juanlu in the upcoming transfer window, if their defensive struggles continue in the next few matches.
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