Premier League duo Arsenal and Newcastle United wanted Adam Hlozek and the Czech Republic striker is now being urged to leave Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen during the January transfer window.
If an injury to compatriot Patrik Schick appeared to throw the door open to Adam Hlozek, then the subsequent signing of Victor Boniface slammed shut it on his throbbing fingers.
Even during Schick’s absence, Hlozek has played only 48 minutes of Bundesliga football. His only starts under Xabi Alonso this season, meanwhile, have come in the DFB Pokal and the Europa League, Boniface’s exceptional form keeping the £15 million signing from Sparta Prague out of the Leverkusen XI.
Arsenal and Newcastle United were among those hoping to sign Hlozek before he moved to Germany in 2022, the striker opting for what he felt was likely to be more regular first-team football at the Bay Arena.
Arsenal and Newcastle missed out on Adam Hlozek
“When Leverkusen was almost done, we heard about a huge intervention from Arsenal. But the negotiation was already a long way along,” Zbynek Hlozek, the 21-year-old’s father, told iSPORT.
“There was Newcastle, Lyon, Sevilla, Dortmund and Bayern Munich (interested). However, we wanted to make a smaller step, so as not to jump to a mega club right away.”
What is it John Steinbeck wrote about ‘best laid plans’? When Hlozek chose Leverkusen over Arsenal, Newcastle, Dortmund and Bayern a year-and-a-half ago, he probably didn’t imagine that his Bundesliga game time would amount to the odd fleeting cameo off the subsitute’s bench.
“I see the only chance for (Hlozek is) to transfer to another club. Or to go somewhere on loan,” former Czech Republic targetman Jan Koller tells Futbol. “Because he has no chance to establish himself in Xabi Alonso’s system.
“Boniface is difficult (to replace). And, if Patrik Schick is also fit, he will be the third-choice striker. He is not even the first-choice substitute! hH only collects minutes at the very end, or starts in the German Cup and possibly in the Europa League.”
West Ham to the rescue?
Koller’s hopes could, however, be answered by West Ham United.
According to 90Min, The Hammers are lining up a January swoop for Hlozek. And it’s probbaly safe to say that dislodging Michail Antonio will be a far easier task than shunting Boniface out of the Leverkusen XI.
The post £15m striker who snubbed Arsenal and Newcastle has played only 48 mins all season appeared first on HITC.
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