West Ham fullback Vladimir Coufal admits management has asked him about Alex Kral.
The Spartak Moscow midfielder has been linked with the Hammers this season and is a Czech Republic teammate of Coufal's.
Now regarded as a defensive midfielder, Kral actually came through youth football in the Czech Republic as a defender. He moved to Spartak two years ago from Slavia Prague and has a contract with the Russian giants to 2024.
Coufal, meanwhile, joined the Hammers in October from Slavia Prague, signing a three-year contract in the process. The right-sided fullback has impressed in his first season in the Premier League.
And Coufal told Aktualne.cz via Sport-Express: "We have no replacement for Declan Rice or Tomasz Soucek. It's true. I like Alex Kral. It would be great if he moved to West Ham. I was asked about him, about his character and other things.
"I believe that they are not yet ready to make an offer.
"However, Alex is exactly the footballer who could replace Declan if he leaves."
This season with Spartak Moscow, Kral has managed 20 appearances, without registering an assist or a goal. The defensive midfielder boasts 16 caps with the Czech Republic, scoring twice.
West Ham are next in action on Saturday against Burnley. The Hammers currently sit in tenth place on the Premier League table.
- updated January 13
