Report: Moyes has reservations over £14.5m West Ham deal for ‘great talent’ likened to Vardy

By Kyle Archer

David Moyes has reservations over West Ham United signing Sparta Prague striker Adam Hlozek this summer, according to The Athletic.

The Hammers are on the hunt for the Scottish coach’s next centre-forward to replace Ajax’s January signing Sebastien Haller. The Ivorian’s mid-season exit left Michail Antonio as the club’s only striker but suffered with injury issues.

Moyes ruled out replacing Haller over the winter as he felt there were not any suitable options on the market. And the Irons boss will stick to that ethos this summer, which could see Hlozek not move to the London Stadium.

Moyes is concerned Hlozek will struggle to make an immediate impact at West Ham. He is fully aware of the 18-year-old’s potential, after he ended last season as the Fortuna Liga’s top-scorer with 15 goals in just 19 appearances.

Hlozek also offered Sparta Prague eight assists, despite missing 14 games with a metatarsal fracture that kept him out for five months. But Moyes fears the 18-year-old will not be able to replicate that in the Premier League.

Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal have told Moyes the six-cap Czech Republic ace is the player West Ham should target. The Irons boss had asked them for a recommendation on who is the best player from their national side to target.

Hlozek has also been eyed by Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus this year, per 90min. Dortmund even consider him as a potential replacement for Erling Haaland, but Hlozek believes he would play more often at West Ham.

The Irons could strike a deal at just €17m (£14.5m), while Hlozek also shares an agent with Soucek and Coufal. Thus negotiations with the player’s camp could be fairly straightforward if Moyes decides to make him a West Ham player.

TBR’s view: West Ham should target Sparta striker Hlozek

It’s fair for Moyes to have concerns over Hlozek making an immediate impact in the Premier League for West Ham. The striker is only 18 and only started to score prolifically for Sparta Prague last season.

Hlozek offered the Czech outfit eight assists in 29 Fortuna Liga appearances in 2019/20 after his debut the previous season. But the forward only found the back of the net four times – far short of his 15-goal haul last term.

Yet Sparta knew his potential and Sports Director Tomas Rosicky told the club’s website he’s a ‘great talent’. The Athletic also likened him to Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy, as he is strong on the ball and in one-vs-ones.

And Hlozek’s stock has only continued to shoot up, such has been the level of his performances, while bouncing back magnificently from a serious injury. West Ham, then, may rue not taking a punt as Moyes has short-term fears.