Alex Kral close to West Ham move as deal structure and fee are explained by insider

West Ham United’s surprise last ditch move for Czech Republic midfielder Alex Kral is close to being finalised.

West Ham had been linked with Spartak Moscow midfielder Kral for much of the summer.

That speculation intensified when West Ham boss David Moyes picked Kral as one of his seven players to watch at the Euros (The Times).

Hammers insider says Kral is now close to West Ham move and reveals deal structure

West Ham insiders Claret and Hugh killed the speculation dead, though, when the site claimed the club were not in for the player, who failed to shine at the Euros.

That may well have been the case. But a move for Kral is very much in West Ham’s thinking on deadline day with Hammers insider ExWHUemployee revealing a loan deal is close with an option to buy at a set price.

“Kral deal is looking close with loan with possibility to buy for £12m initial fee moving to £17m the proposed offer,” ExWHUemployee said in a brief update on The West Ham Way Patreon site.

Man Moyes gave big billing to before Euros was Czech flop but excelled for his club last season

Russia Football News claimed that the Hammers were close to signing Kral on loan with an option to buy.

And that now appears to be the case.

The curly-haired 23-year-old may not have shone at the Euros. But he did for Spartak last season. In 29 league outings, the former Slavia Prague teammate of Tomas Soucek registered five assists and averaged 1.5 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 0.8 clearances and 0.8 dribbles per game.

Hammers turn quiet window on its head

During those appearances, he made 56 passes per match on average with a completion rate of 81% (WhoScored).

Kral will provide much needed competition for Declan Rice and compatriot Soucek in the middle of the park at the London Stadium should West Ham get the deal over the line.

West Ham have turned around a very quiet transfer window in the last week.

Moyes got a £29m deal for Kurt Zouma done at the weekend to add to the loan arrival of France teammate Alphonse Areola.

Then West Ham confirmed the signing of Nikola Vlasic on deadline day morning in a deal rumoured to be worth over £30m including add ons.

In other news, ‘No brainer’ South American expert makes claim on West Ham striker interest.

And West Ham in last ditch talks with exciting forward claims insider.