West Ham United are close to signing Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain as the Hammers seek a viable competition for Lukasz Fabianski.
According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, West Ham United are getting closer to signing Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain. A deal could be closed in the coming days as the Hammers seek a new No.1 for the upcoming season.
West Ham have been looking at multiple players for different positions in this transfer window. Among them, David Moyes wants a goalkeeper who could provide much-needed competition to current No.1 Lukasz Fabianski. The Pole has been a mainstay in the side since joining in 2018 from Swansea.
Moreover, the Polish stopper has played in more than 250 Premier League games and holds immense experience in the league. However reliable Fabianski has been, Moyes still holds him in a high position within the West Ham squad and probably still considers him his first-choice.
He has a year left on his deal, which West Ham extended back in March by a year. Moyes does not view him as a long-term solution, and at 36 years of age, Fabianski is in his twilight years. Hence, the London side are seeking a relatively young but experienced enough to take the reins.
Alphonse Areola has been a highly-rated goalkeeper ever since breaking into the Paris Saint-Germain side. The French side, with lofty ambitions, chose to go in a different direction when they signed Keylor Navas a few years ago, making Areola expendable. The recent signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma certainly leaves no place for the French shot stopper in Paris.
Areola also spent last season in the Premier League with Fulham. Although he showed reliability between the posts, he could not prevent the Cottagers from getting relegated. West Ham have now prepare a deal to bring the Frenchman back to the Premier League with another loan.
The Hammers have been searching for a goalkeeper with Sam Johnstone of West Bromwich Albion, thought to be one of their primary targets. However, West Ham cannot afford the goalkeeper, and hence are looking at Areola on a loan deal. PSG would like to sell him and could try to include a buy option in the agreement.
The Hammers were also linked with an ambitious move for Barcelona’s Neto but have now set their sights over Areola. The 28-year-old has three caps for the French national side and holds a World Cup medal for his backup role in that French side.
West Ham are certainly acquiring a quality goalkeeper who will prove to be immense as the London club embarks on a European journey this coming season. If the French keeper impresses during his stint, he could have a long term future in the Premier League with David Moyes’ side.
