West Ham should utilise Daniel Kretinsky's links to help get rid of unwanted players
West Ham World · Adam Leatherbarrow · 2026-09-03T19:08:41+00:00 · nguồn gốc
West Ham United may not be able to complete any more incoming deals this summer, but that doesn't mean we've seen the last of any possible outgoings.
While clubs in England are now unable to make further permanent transfers, the Czech transfer window remains open until 8 September, potentially giving West Ham a few more days to balance the books and move on players who have been left on the fringes of
Nuno Espírito Santo’s plans.
And perhaps the most obvious destination is Prague.
Sparta Prague could arguably be described as West Ham’s 'sister club,' given the increasingly intertwined
ownership structure involving Daniel Křetínský.
Křetínský is a major shareholder of West Ham and is also the owner and chairman of Sparta Prague. We have already seen the relationship between the two clubs develop on the pitch, with Andy Irving and Krisztián Hegyi both making permanent moves to the Czech club over the past 12 months.
So why couldn’t that relationship be utilised again?
Alvarez and Magassa could be candidates for Sparta Prague switch
West Ham outcast Edson Alvarez
Edson Álvarez and
Soungoutou Magassa both remained at West Ham after the English deadline despite spending much of the summer being linked with moves away.
Neither has established themselves as regulars under Nuno, leaving the club in an
awkward situation.
It's not yet clear whether either player will be able to force their way into Nuno's plans now that the transfer window has closed, but Sparta could potentially provide an escape route if they can't.
Álvarez would obviously be the more ambitious proposition. His experience at international and Premier League level would represent a significant signing for Sparta, although his wages and transfer valuation could make a permanent deal extremely difficult.
Magassa, meanwhile, could be a more realistic option.
The young French midfielder has athleticism, versatility and considerable potential, and a move to a club competing at the top end of Czech football could give him the regular football that is currently unavailable at West Ham.
West Ham have other players who need a move
Maxwel Cornet's West Ham career is over
Maxwel Cornet is another player who could potentially be considered for a switch to the Czech capital.
The winger has struggled to establish himself as a regular first team player at West Ham and is seemingly surplus to requirements having not featured in any of Nuno's squads so far this season.
A move to Sparta could potentially give Cornet the opportunity to reignite his career while simultaneously removing another salary from West Ham’s wage bill.
Indeed, if the club can find permanent homes for players who are unlikely to feature regularly, even for relatively modest fees, it would help the club’s finances.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be about permanent transfers either.
For West Ham’s younger players, Sparta Prague could provide an outstanding loan destination.
Players such as Preston Fearon and Daniel Cummings are at an important stage of their development where regular senior football is arguably more valuable than simply playing youth football every week.
The Czech giants are competing in the league stage of the Europa League this season, meaning a young West Ham player could gain experience of European football while also playing meaningful domestic football.
For a player like Cummings in particular, the opportunity to train and play around experienced senior professionals, compete for trophies and feature in European competition could be hugely beneficial.
So, rather than sending young players out on loans where they may spend significant periods on the bench, Sparta could potentially offer an environment where they are expected to compete for first-team places.
Sparta is also a club with genuine ambitions of progressing in the competition, and their position in the Czech game means they will also be competing towards the top end of the domestic table.
Imagine a 19 or 20-year-old West Ham prospect getting minutes in a Europa League knockout tie. That experience could be invaluable.
Even if they aren’t immediately starting every European fixture, being around that environment and competing for a place in the squad could accelerate their development considerably and West Ham would directly benefit from that in future.
West Ham should exploit Kretinsky's ownership position
The ownership connection doesn’t mean Sparta will simply take unwanted West Ham players.
Ultimately, Sparta have their own recruitment strategy and sporting ambitions. They will only sanction deals that make sense for their squad.
But the relationship between the clubs gives West Ham something that many other Premier League and Championship clubs don’t have, which is an established European club and a recent history of doing business together.
With the Czech window remaining open until 8 September, West Ham should at least be picking up the phone.
Have your say!
Do you think we should utilise Kretinsky's Sparta Prague links more? Could you see any of our existing fringe players moving there in the coming days? Have your say in the comments below...