West Ham told to complete ‘£16m’ Hlozek signing as approach made – pundit
Noel Whelan has urged West Ham to meet Sparta Prague’s £16million-plus asking price for Adam Hlozek in January.
The former Leeds forward, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Irons would be getting a “prolific” young striker with the potential to grow.
As revealed by Football Insider on Monday (13 Dec), West Ham have made an enquiry about Hlozek and what it would take to sign him.
It is understood Sparta Prague would demand a price tag of £16-20million to let the 19-year-old leave next month.
Whelan suggested the Irons should be happy to pay up for a player of Hlozek’s ability and future potential.
“He’s someone who has already made his mark at very young age in his own country,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“With him scoring goals and being prolific then I think around the £16-20million mark is what you’d be looking at. You’ve got longevity in the player.
“Someone who’s going to take, maybe, a little bit of time at that young age to settle into a different culture, a different league. It is very, very hard and probably a lot tougher than the one that he’s in.
“You look for the future with him. You blood him into your team, give him that opportunity to settle in with his new teammates and get him to understand the way of playing at West Ham.
“It will be different. He’ll have to understand the Premier League, how difficult it is and what players you’re playing against every single week. Week in, week out, it’s against international defenders.
“There’s going to be a little bit of a wake-up call as well. But look, you never know. The price is right, the age is right and it’s planning for the future as well.”
Hlozek scored 15 times and contributed eight assists in just 19 league games for Sparta Prague last season.
He has been more of a creator this term, with 11 assists and 5 goals in 17 top-flight appearances.
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