With Sparta Prague owner Daniel Kretinsky in advanced negotiations to take a 27% ownership of West Ham United, the club could be set to raid the Czech outfit.
football.london understands that the Czech-based billionaire has a genuine interest in purchasing a stake in the Hammers and that he is in advanced negotiations. However, the investment is not as imminent as some reports have suggested.
If the deal does go through, then Kretinsky would not have full control of the club, and there are understood to be talks over a minority stake without the option for the complete takeover of the east London outfit.
Kretinsky currently owns Sparta Prague, with West Ham having recent success from purchasing players from the Czech Republic, so football.london takes a look at who the Hammers can sign from there this time if Kretinsky does complete the transaction.
Adam Holek is someone that could definitely be of interest to the Irons, with the 19-year-old centre-forward very highly-rated in Czech Republic.
The teenager has scored four goals and provided six assists in 12 appearances in the top-flight this season so far and has a £15.3million value on football database Transfermarkt.
Meanwhile, Sparta also have other talents including Ladislav Krejci, who is valued at £4.5million.
The 22-year-old is a defensive midfielder who has been impressive so far this season for Sparta and he is someone who has been linked with a move away from the Czech club in the past.
Away from Sparta, and across the city to Slavia, who West Ham bought both Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal from, Kretinsky is likely to have a strong knowledge of the talents available from their arch rivals.
Nicolae Stanciu, a Slavia attacking midfielder, is someone with immense talent, with the Romania international into the final two years of his contract in Prague, meaning he could be available for a reduced price.
These are all players West Ham could be tempted with, if the Czech revolution does indeed begin in east London, but they should become a much more attractive proposition for any talented player with the club set to receive a huge financial boost.
Kretinsky reportedly values the Hammers at £600million, with the billionaire potentially set to purchase an initial 27% stake in the club.
