West Ham keen on Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral| Vladimir Coufal contract talks opened
West Ham are among five Premier League clubs who have spoken to representatives of Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral over a possible transfer; Hammers also in talks over an improved contract for defender Vladimir Coufal
Tuesday 25 May 2021 15:04, UK
The representatives of Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral have spoken to five Premier League clubs over a potential transfer this summer, with West Ham understood to be one of those clubs.
Kral is a Czech Republic team-mate of Hammers' duo Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal, with all three named in their squad for Euro 2020, where they are in Group D along with England, Scotland and Croatia.
The 23-year-old is relaxed about his situation and hasn't ruled out staying at Spartak after they made the final qualifying round for next season's Champions League.
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Meanwhile, West Ham have opened talks with the representatives of defender Coufal over an improved contract.
He joined from Slavia Prague in October for £5m and started 34 Premier League games last season.
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Of David Moyes' outfield players, only Soucek and Aaron Cresswell started more matches than Coufal.
Coufal's current deal runs until the summer of 2023, with West Ham holding an option for a further two years.
West Ham's summer transfer plans analysed
A centre-back, a left-back, and, most importantly, a striker to take the pressure off Michail Antonio will be the priorities for West Ham during the summer transfer window.
The club's other priority will be retaining Declan Rice - an ambition strengthened by the Hammers' qualification for Europa League football.
After the final day defeat of Southampton secured sixth place, boss David Moyes said: "I don't think [co-owners] David Sullivan, David Gold or myself have got any intention of losing Declan Rice.
"We've just qualified for Europe, it's a brilliant achievement. Declan has been a big part of that and we want him to be a big part of what we do next year as well."
