Alex Kral could return to Spartak Moscow with the midfielder struggling for game-time at Premier League high-flyers West Ham United, the Russian club’s sporting director tells MetaRatings.
Kral didn’t get off the bench as a Jarrod Bowen-inspired West Ham swatted aside Norwich City in midweek. No surprise there then.
After finally sealing a long-awaited move to the London Stadium last summer, Kral has played just one minute of Premier League football.
It’s fair to say the poodle-haired enforcer has failed to emulate the impact of fellow Czech Republic internationals Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek in the English capital.
As a result, few are expecting to see West Ham trigger the £12 million option-to-buy clause in Kral’s contract.
At least, if or when his time in Britain comes to an end, the Slovakia-born 23-year-old will be welcomed back to Moscow with open arms.
Will Alex Kral ever start a Premier League game for West Ham?
“Obviously, I follow all the players who are related to Spartak,” says sporting director Luca Cattani.
While Kral toils, another Spartak Moscow loanee continues to thrive.
Guus Til has scored 16 times in 30 games at Feyenoord, helping turn Arne Slot’s side into potential title-challengers while catching the eye of Rafa Benitez’s goal-shy Everton.
“Guus Til is having a great season in Holland,” Cattani adds.
“I would be very happy if he was already (back) at Spartak. I do not rule out his return but he has a contract with a purchase option. He is growing and getting stronger as a football player.
“The same can be said about Alex Kral. It is difficult to predict the future.”
Things don’t appear to be getting any easier for Kral at West Ham either.
He already has Soucek and the irrepressible Declan Rice to contend with. But, according to reports, Moyes is looking to bring in another midfielder before the end of the month.
Russia international Daniil Fomin is one such target. Lance, meanwhile, believe that West Ham are planning a bid for Palmeiras enforcer Danilo.
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