Everton have watched Czech Republic international midfielder Alex Kral, who was scouted by three Premier League clubs in Sunday’s Moscow derby. Kral impressed on international duty earlier this month when he outshone Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson in midfield as the Czech Republic beat England in Prague, attracting not just the attention of Everton.
A source has revealed that three top-flight English clubs were in attendance to watch Kral when his Spartak Moscow side met rivals Lokomotiv this weekend – and won 3-0 at RZD Arena.
The identities of those clubs were not disclosed, but it would be safe to assume that the 6ft 1in tall midfielder is on the radar of a number of teams for 2020.
However, those desperate to make for the 21-year-old in the January transfer window will be disappointed because Kral only joined Spartak on a five-year deal in September and had played six games for former club Slavia Prague.
He, therefore, cannot leave Spartak – who paid over 11m euros for him – until the next summer transfer window.
There will be many more opportunities for Premier League clubs to assess him in the Russian Premier League or on international duty, where Kral grabbed a goal in the Czech Republic’s 3-2 friendly defeat to Northern Ireland a few days after his country’s win over Gareth Southgate’s men.
Chelsea fans will know Kral as the David Luiz lookalike who posed for pictures with the ex-Blues star following last season’s Europa League quarter-final clashes with Slavia.
The midfielder, who can also operate in central defence like Luiz, swapped shirts with the Brazilian after the second leg at Stamford Bridge when Slavia came back from 4-0 down to scare Chelsea with three late goals.
Everton are understood to have watched Kral recently – possibly in the wake of his display against England – but Spartak will no doubt demand a huge fee for their player, given that they have him tied down to a long-term deal.
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