Spartak Moscow’s Alex Kral could be heading to the Premier League with Newcastle United reportedly keen.
Forget Jack Colback and Isaac Hayden, Newcastle United haven’t had a real top class ball-winner since the late Cheick Tiote was patrolling the centre of the park in black and white, snarling and snapping into tackles at will. But are The Magpies hot on the heels of a poodle-haired youngster who could finally step into the Ivorian’s shoes at St James’ Park?
Czech Republic international Alex Kral only moved to Spartak Moscow from Slavia Prague over the summer in a £10 million deal but it seems that he’s not likely to stick around for too long.
ClubCall reported earlier in the week that Everton are interested in landing Kral, who shone as England suffered a shock defeat in Prague during a Euro 2020 qualifier earlier this month. But the Toffees are not the only Premier League club who have been impressed by the David Luiz doppelganger.
Newcastle, Burnley and Norwich all watched Kral produce a typically tenacious performance during Spartak’s 3-0 away win at city rivals Lokomotiv on Sunday, with his agent Karol Kisel telling Sport.cz that there is indeed plenty of English interest in the rising star.
And while Newcastle are crying out for a centre-forward capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, not to mention a creative midfielder who can provide the ammunition, a midfielder who can pass, tackle and dominate the game from the centre of the park wouldn’t go amiss either.
Kral averages 2.8 tackles per game, the most in Spartak Moscow’s squad, with a staggering seven of those coming in the comfortable victory at Lokomotiv. The 21-year-old also used his 6ft frame to dominate in the air, winning three aerial duels with Lokomotiv failing to find a way past the young enforcer.
Given how vulnerable Newcastle have looked defensively since Steve Bruce took over, it is no real surprise that the Magpies have identified Kral as a potential addition. The manager himself admitted that he wasn’t happy with the decision to let Mo Diame go over the summer, speaking to the Shields Gazette, and Kral could add some much-needed tenacity in front of the defence.
The Sun claimed on Tuesday too that Newcastle are eyeing another highly-rated midfield talent, £13 million Strasbourg ace Ibrahima Sissoko. It doesn’t take a genius to work out where the Tyneside giants are looking to strengthen.
And while Tiote may be a tough act to follow, Kral is certainly capable of becoming Newcastle’s next ankle-snapping cult hero.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
