West Ham defender Vladimir Coufal has confirmed the idea of a January move to Bayer Leverkusen proved attractive.
The German side were linked with a move for the Czech Republic international and Coufal has now confirmed talks were held.
David Moyes’ side have endured a difficult season domestically and will return from the international break in the bottom three.
Coufal has made 16 Premier League starts but will be out of contract at the end of the season and the arrival of German international Thilo Kehrer has pushed the 30-year-old down the pecking order.
Speaking to Sport.cz, Coufal said: “There was interest, people from the club came to see, some negotiations took place. But it was a standard market demand, nothing to do with me leaving. At Bayer, they were deciding whether Jeremie Frimpong would leave, I wasn’t that busy at the time.
“Of course, it attracted me in a way, Leverkusen is an elite German team, there are two Czech boys in the squad, they play interesting football. But maybe it would be a step back.
Despite such a poor run following a huge summer spend, the club have so far backed Moyes heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Europa Conference League has offered some welcome respite and a favourable draw against Gent has opened up a potential path to May’s final in Prague.
The Hammers face a relegation six-pointer at home to bottom side Southampton next Sunday.
