“Deal 80% Done: Soucek’s £12m Everton Move Could Trigger Big Blow to Leeds as Coufal Eyes Reunion”

Angus Kinnear Threatens to Derail Leeds Talks as Tomas Soucek Move Sways Coufal Towards Everton

Leeds United’s search for Premier League-ready reinforcements at full-back could suffer a fresh blow, as the club face renewed competition from Everton for Vladimir Coufal — with the Toffees now looking to use a familiar face to tip the scales in their favour.

Leeds have been actively reshaping their defence ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. With Max Wober leaving on loan to Werder Bremen and Junior Firpo sealing a free transfer exit — expected to join Real Betis pending final paperwork — the club have acted quickly, securing Gabriel Gudmundsson and Sebastiaan Bornauw as defensive replacements. Jaka Bijol has also arrived, allowing Ethan Ampadu to push into midfield once more.

Yet questions remain on the right-hand side of defence. Sam Byram has been retained and Isaac Schmidt remains at the club, though Schmidt is reportedly “open to offers” after a difficult debut season. Despite Byram’s Premier League experience, there are serious doubts about whether the pair offer enough depth for a full campaign in England’s top flight.

It’s led Leeds to identify West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal as a top target. The 32-year-old Czech international has featured 147 times in the Premier League and brings substantial experience to a largely untested Leeds full-back department. LeedsUnited.News reported that “Leeds have held talks to sign” Coufal — a player with the versatility to play both flanks and one who could immediately slot into the starting XI.

However, those talks now risk being overshadowed by Everton’s late push. According to TeamTalk, Coufal “could be ‘swayed’ in his decision” if his close friend and international teammate Tomas Soucek joins him at Goodison Park. Everton are reportedly preparing a £12 million bid for the West Ham midfielder in a deal that would see Soucek reunite with David Moyes — and potentially lure Coufal to follow suit.

It’s understood that Coufal, who has a strong bond with Soucek both on and off the pitch, could see a move to Merseyside as more appealing if his compatriot makes the switch. That could leave Leeds empty-handed in their pursuit, despite identifying the defender as an ideal solution to their Premier League inexperience.

The numbers underscore why Coufal is such an attractive option. While Coufal has logged over 11,600 Premier League minutes, notching 19 goal contributions and helping West Ham to 54 wins and 29 clean sheets, Leeds’ current crop of full-backs have collectively made just 109 Premier League appearances, with fewer goals, assists, and wins combined.

As it stands, the race for Coufal appears to be leaning Everton’s way — and with Angus Kinnear facing further pressure to shore up Leeds’ flanks, time is ticking. Unless the Whites can act swiftly and decisively, they risk missing out on a proven top-flight performer at a time when experience could prove crucial for their top-flight survival.