West Ham have been linked to yet another Czech Republic international, though this one is not currently playing at SK Slavia Prague.
The player in question is Alex Kral of Spartak Moscow. Russain football expert Artur Petrosyan has suggested that West Ham are ‘in’ for the 22-year-old midfielder. Petrosyan has suggested that the club would have to pay a fee of €18 million for Kral who joined Spartak last September.
Kral is a central midfielder who already has experience of playing with the Hammers other Czech imports. The Spartak Moscow player used to play for SK Slavia Prague alongside Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal. Kral still plays regularly with them in the national side too.
It comes as no surprise that the Hammers are interested in signing another Czech international given the success of Soucek and Coufal. David Sullivan appears to be a fan of the way they have flawlessly adapted to the Premier League.
Kral is mainly played as a defensive midfielder, however, is capable of playing in the defence. This utility is a trait manager David Moyes likes in his players. The Hammers are operating with a small squad and could do with another option to support the first-team. This support will be even more necessary next season.
With Mark Noble potentially retiring, Angelo Ogbonna and Robert Snodgrass ageing, the clubs would do well to sign a player that could replace all three in one. Ogbonna, however, would require a more experienced defender to be a sufficient replacement.
The need for a new midfielder is more evident after the club let Josh Cullen and Jack Wilshere leave the club in the summer without replacing them. Kral could come into the club and challenge Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek for their spots in the starting eleven. Or a least provide a more mobile option for Moyes from the bench.
A move in January might be unlikely as the line from the club is that there won’t be a fortune to spend. But if Kral does get the Soucek certification then maybe the club might make an exception and make a more for the midfielder.