According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, West Ham United and GSB were also gifted the chance to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek amid their plentiful deadline day transfer activity. 

The Lowdown: West Ham in last gasp swoops...

West Ham were seemingly one of the busier clubs on transfer deadline day as the club attempted to bolster manager David Moyes' options at the very last second.

Before the final day, GSB had just goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and defender Kurt Zouma to show for nearly three months of scouting and preparation.

However, in the last hours, West Ham managed to complete the signings of both Nikola Vlasic and Alex Kral and they were even linked with some more business after that (Jack Rosser).

The Latest: Crook lifts lid on West Ham transfer chance...

As per talkSPORT journalist Crook, the Irons were also offered the chance to sign Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea on deadline day but refused the approach.

Instead, West Ham snapped up the Czech Republic international Alex Kral on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy at the end of 2021/2022.

"Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who of course was out on loan at Fulham last season, was offered to West Ham.

“They said no. They were offered the chance to sign Ruben Loftus-Cheek, he stays at Chelsea.”

The Verdict: Right call?

The 25-year-old, while arguably failing to reach the heights of his pre-2018 World Cup days with England, still attracted huge praise from former Fulham boss Scott Parker last year.

Indeed, the ex-Hammers midfielder lauded Loftus-Cheek as 'unbelievable' all while believing he can be 'unplayable' at times (FourFourTwo).

Homegrown and with an arguable point to prove, the midfielder can also be a real threat going forward.

He even completed more dribbles per 90 on average last season (1.3) than Jesse Lingard who enjoyed a fine loan spell at the London Stadium (WhoScored).

Time will tell whether West Ham rue choosing Kral over the 10-cap ace.

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