West Ham were close to not signing Alex Kral on transfer deadline day after the fine form of Conor Coventry during pre-season according to Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson.
Read also: West Ham still keen to sign £10m ace from London rivals – ExWHUemployee
Hammers boss David Moyes ended up bringing the 23-year-old midfielder to the London Stadium from Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan on deadline day.
West Ham have an option to bring him to the London Stadium permanently next summer for around £12 million plus a potential £5 million in add-ons (ExWHUemployee).
Meanwhile, Coventry left to link up with Peterborough United on a season-long loan.
Things could have been very different for the Hammers, Kral and Coventry, however.
West Ham nearly didn’t sign Alex Kral
Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson claims that David Moyes was close to keeping Conor Coventry at the London Stadium because of his fine pre-season form.
And had he done that, Kral would not have been signed.
We think that Moyes made the correct decision. A season away from the Hammers playing Championship football for Peterborough will do Coventry the world of good.
It could be argued that had the 21-year-old stayed at West Ham, he would have been lucky to play 10 games this season.
That lack of action may well have stunted his development as a footballer.
Playing against real men for an entire season will be an invaluable experience for Coventry.
Meanwhile, Moyes will be able to see what Kral is all about. He has the potential to be an outstanding signing for West Ham.
If he doesn’t cut it, however, we can just send him back to Spartak Moscow.
Here’s a glimpse of what Kral has to offer:
Read also: West Ham journalist claims Moyes is ready to give two players debuts against Zagreb
Everyone’s a winner.
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