West Ham confident of transfer success in eastern Europe dealings
West Ham United have landed another player from eastern Europe, but could it turn out to be another success story like the recent ones?
Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have both established themselves as regulars and key players for the Hammers since joining from Czech side Slavia Prague.
Their international teammate Alex Kral joined West Ham on loan on transfer deadline day from Spartak Moscow, and fans cannot wait to see the 23-year-old midfielder in action.
It should not come as a surprise if he hits the ground running at the London Stadium, though, as the club have done a thorough assignment.
A Hammers insider told Claret and Hugh: “We have developed good contacts in the area and we have been seeing the results.
“We are confident the two boys from Moscow clubs will be top level and that the hard work we have put in will pay off!”
Top-four boost?
West Ham escaped relegation in 2019-20 before finishing in sixth place at the end of 2020-21, and the impacts both Soucek and Coufal had in these successes cannot be overemphasised.
While their top-flight colleagues continue to splash the cash and bring in players from Europe’s top-five leagues, David Moyes’ side have concentrated on players who have turned out to be hidden gems that needed to be discovered.
The Czech duo has been massive additions for bargain fees, and Kral has to look up to his colleagues and produce the goods.
Having already established contacts with those in the region, the Irons have found for themselves a gold mine of untapped talents, and more players from some of the clubs and countries will surely be joining the club going forward.
Despite doubts about whether some players outside of the best leagues can adapt to the Premier League, the Czech duo took to the English top-flight like a duck to water.
West Ham are playing Europa League football this term due to some smart and shrewd additions they recently made, and they could be handed a Champions League boost by making more of them from their trusted eastern Europe contacts.
In other West Ham news, Hammers decided against last-ditch summer signing after major development .
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