West Ham could be in line for further Czech reinforcements arriving at the London Stadium after reports emerged from The Athletic claiming that Slavia Praha’s Ondrej Kolar is a January transfer target.
With the winter window set to open in a matter of days, the Czech ‘keeper could follow in the footsteps of former teammates Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal as the possibility emerged of him making the switch to the east London side.
The 26-year-old is reportedly viewed as a long-term replacement for veteran shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski, who will be a decade older than Kolar in April.
With Fabianski out of contract in the summer, the Polish international’s future looks increasingly uncertain – with Kolar consequentially eyed as one for the future.
The Athletic notes that the West Ham hierarchy are interested in tying down Fabianski to a new long-term deal, but any negotiations have yet to take place.
Kolar boasts an impressive record in the Czech top division. In 128 appearances, Kolar has conceded just 94 goals and kept 71 clean sheets in the process. (Transfermarkt)
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Given the instant impact of Soucek and Coufal as they transitioned to the English top division directly from the Czech leagues, there is a possibility that Kolar could do the same.
Just as Fabianski is still Moyes’ favoured reliable option between the posts, Kolar’s age could leave him with the best part of a decade ahead of him as a professional ‘keeper,
His goalkeeping record is formidable in its own right, meaning that Kolar joining in January could initially see him challenging with Fabianski before potentially becoming the Hammers’ first choice between the posts.
In that sense, he is a natural successor.
