Pundit Carlton Palmer has speculated about the possible destination of Bulgaria international Andrian Kraev, who is being eyed by three Championship clubs.
Kraev has been left out of the picture because he has refused to sign a new contract with Levski Sofia, despite offers from Middlesbrough, Hull City, and Coventry City.
Palmer believes that Kraev would be better suited at Coventry City because of their style of play and standing in the promotion race right now.
Three teams are vying for the signature of Bulgarian international Andrian Kraev, and analyst Carlton Parelmer has identified the team to which he thinks the midfield player would be most effective.
According to the Bulgarian newspaper Sportal, three Championship teams are keeping an eye on the out-of-contract midfield player.
Middlesbrough, Hull City, and Coventry City are the three teams rumored to be interested in the 25-year-old, who is now under contract with Levski Sofia in Bulgaria.
Palmer thinks one of the three offers Kraev the best chance, but it’s still unclear who will prevail in the competition for his signature.
In September 2020, the 25-year-old signed with Bulgarian first-tier team Levski. During his 109 appearances for the Efbet Liga team, he scored seven goals and provided nine assists.
The midfield player, who currently has eight caps for Bulgaria, was called up to the national team due to his outstanding play for the team.
However, as reported by Sportal, the midfielder’s contract runs until this summer and, with the player wanting to explore his options, he has refused a new deal.
This led to Levski freezing Kraev out of the team, who is now training with the reserves and is unlikely to feature again before his terms expire.
Palmer believes Coventry would suit Kraev
Former England international Palmer has considered the options in front of Kraev and believes a move to the Midlands may work best for the midfielder.
He said exclusively to Football League World: “Coventry City, Hull and Middlesbrough are eyeing a move for eight-cap international Andrian Kraev.
“Andrian is a Bulgarian international, and he’s refusing to sign a new contract, so all of these clubs are monitoring the Bulgarian’s uncertain situation. Kraev’s refusal to sign a new deal has prompted Championship clubs eyeing a possible move for him in the summer.”
The ex-Sheffield Wednesday man, a defensive-minded midfielder by trade himself, believes that Kraev could bring quality to the middle of the pitch.
“He’s an experienced midfield player and would be a smart addition for clubs aiming for promotion to the Premier League,” he said.“At 25, you know, he’s still very, very young and, as I said, he has eight international caps.”
Much in the mould of former Coventry man Gustavo Hamer, who moved to Sheffield United last summer, Palmer believes Kraev would fit the same bill.
He continued: “Coventry and Hull are vying for play-off places right now, Middlesbrough are going to struggle to make the play-offs.
“So, I think with the likes of Hamer, who was at Coventry City before, I think Andrian would be a good fit for Coventry on the basis of the way that Coventry play and the way that Andrian plays for his present club.”
Whether Kraev comes to the same conclusion, or indeed if Coventry opt to pull the trigger on the deal, will likely not be revealed until the summer.
Kraev may come at the right time for the Sky Blues
A defensive midfielder of Coventry’s own, Ben Sheaf, was the subject of speculation during the January transfer window just gone, when Premier League side Luton Town were rumoured to be in for the 26-year-old.
Sheaf has since picked up a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for around two months, but if he kicks on when he returns as he has done throughout this season, it would not be a surprise to see the Hatters reignite their interest, which could be particularly persuasive to Sheaf should they remain in the Premier League.
If that move were to come off, Kraev would arrive at just the right time to provide cover for Sheaf’s departure, who would be a cut-price replacement due to his contract expiring in Bulgaria, allowing the club to spend any fee from the Sheaf deal on bolstering other areas of the squad.
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