German side Schalke are set to win the race to sign former West Ham misfit Alex Kral, with the defensive midfielder due to have a medical with the newly-promoted Bundesliga club this week.
According to Sky Germany, Schalke have won the race to sign Kral despite interest from the likes of RB Leipzig and Hertha Berlin, with the Czech Republic international free to move wherever he wants following the end of his West Ham loan move and return to parent club Spartak Moscow.
Because of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, players who are owned by clubs from either nation currently have special permission to suspend their contracts, meaning Schalke are in the clear to sign Kral from Spartak for absolutely nothing, a loophole many European sides have exploited this summer.
Despite interest from Leipzig, who will be competing in the UEFA Champions League next season, Kral has opted to join Schalke, with the German giants set for a return to the Bundesliga just one season after their shock relegation from top-flight to the second-tier.
Although Kral endured a tough time at West Ham, the Czech midfielder is still highly regarded around Europe, with David Moyes signing the 24-year-old last summer on loan with a view to making the deal permanent. Yet as we know, no such deal ever materialised.
Indeed, Kral was just a bad fit for West Ham, and given the incredible development of Declan Rice, the defensive midfielder was limited to just six appearances in all competitions for the Hammers, a tally that the former Spartak star will be hoping to best with Schalke in the upcoming campaign.
Schalke signing former West Ham outcast Kral is a great move
West Ham looked to have found themselves another winner in the transfer market with the signing of Kral, but things just never worked out for the Czech superstar as Premier League life just wasn’t suited to the talented midfielder, yet joining Schalke could be the perfect move for the 24-year-old.
After all, the Bundesliga is a calmer league to compete in, and with Schalke looking to reclaim their status as one of the best sides in Germany, signing top players like Kral are the perfect steps to take this summer ahead of what will be an exciting year for the club.
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