West Ham are unlikely to sign midfielder Alex Kral on a permanent basis this summer, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The 29-cap Czech Republic international made the temporary switch to the London Stadium from Spartak Moscow last year, but his lack of opportunities have restricted him to just three starts.

What's the latest news involving Kral?

Having joined Czech teammates Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal in signing for West Ham, Kral would have been hoping to have a similar impact to what those two have enjoyed over the last two seasons.

But while Soucek and Coufal have already become fans' favourites in east London, Kral has added absolutely nothing during his time in the Premier League.

His three starts were the Carabao Cup clash at Manchester United, the FA Cup tie with Non-League Kidderminster, in which he was hauled off at half-time, and the dead rubber Europa League group stage match against Dinamo Zagreb.

In terms of the top-flight, Kral has played just one minute, and has been an unused substitute on 27 occasions, highlighting his frustrations since making the loan move to the Hammers.

When West Ham signed Kral, an option to buy was included in the deal, but Brown has all-but ruled out Moyes' side activating that clause.

What did Brown say about Kral?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "It's hard to see them taking Kral on a permanent basis, he hasn't shown enough or played enough.

"He's had a good relationship a couple of times in his career with Soucek, which is why they probably went for him."

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Is letting Kral return to Moscow the right decision?

Despite Moyes signing the player himself, he's hardly given him a chance to impress, so letting him return to Russia is the best outcome for all parties.

Overall, Kral has been on the pitch for just 255 minutes, with 90 of those coming for a youthful Hammers side in that Europa League game against Zagreb.

Whether Kral hasn't been performing well enough in training or the fact Moyes just doesn't rate him, remains to be seen, but it's safe to say that West Ham and Kral parting ways needs to happen, with the midfielder simply wasting nine months of his career in England.

In truth, given his minimal impact, not many Hammers fans will be sad to see him leave; the majority probably feel sorry for him.