Last month we were being told that West Ham were very close to securing the signing of Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral.
As David Moyes seeks to build squad depth this summer ahead of next season’s participation in the Europa League group stages, bringing in another central midfielder to help Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice with the workload is a priority during the current transfer window.
However, nothing more materialised where Kral is concerned, with reports then claiming Spartak wanted to wait until after the Euros before considering any offers, just in case he had a blinder and they could increase their asking price.
Three games in and Kral is played just 120 minutes for Czech Republic and hasn’t exactly pulled up any trees for his country, starting the first game against Scotland before appearing as a substitute against Croatia and England respectively.
As a result, The Athletic are now reporting that West Ham are expected to cool their interest in the 23-year-old and make look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.
Now, it would be harsh to make a final call on a potential recruit based on three very brief appearances for his country at a major tournament, especially if you’ve already scouted him at club level and originally believed him to be a good enough player to warrant signing.
But that’s the report coming out of The Athletic, and some West Ham fans don’t seem too convinced that Moyes’ interest in Kral is over just yet, with some saying we might as well keep Andriy Yarmolenko this summer if we’re doing our business based on the form of players at the Euros…
Seems strange to base one player on the tournament, based on that Kane is rubbish and Yarmolenko is world class
— Stuart Dillon Euro2020🏴 (@StuartDillon1) June 24, 2021
Even if he played well that shouldnt be the reason to sign or not sign! Remember Pablo Barerra at the world cup played well! He didnt settle!
— Paulinho (@Paulinh22836565) June 25, 2021
Never judge a player on a tournament, good or bad, but I must say he’s been underwhelming…think we could spend our money more wisely.
— Jon (@j8nax) June 25, 2021
3 games
— Jamie Ellison (@hourmanmovies) June 25, 2021
We should keep Yarmelenko on his form at the Euros
— CentralPark (@johal_indy) June 25, 2021
Watch him tear it up and get the Czechs to the final now 😂
— Adam H (@AdaminBarnet) June 24, 2021
