OPINION
West Ham will only get one chance to sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Fulham as the talented shot-stopper is destined to have a great career in the game.
The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that the 6ft 3in keeper had emerged as a serious candidate to be the Hammers new No.1 for next season.
The newspaper claimed that the Hammers had begun the hunt for a new goalkeeper as David Moyes had been left unconvinced by both his current options Joe Hart and Adrian due to their displays this season.
It is believed that the London-based club will move for Bettinelli even if the 25-year-old’s current side, Fulham, join the Hammers in the Premier League next season.
Signing Bettinelli would be a blinding bit of business by the Hammers as the keeper has been in superb form this season in order to help his side have a chance of reaching England’s top-flight.
The 25-year-old has made 26 appearances this season, conceding 17 goals and keeping 12 clean sheets, and Hammers fans at this time can only dream of a capable goalkeeper such as Bettinelli.
In fact the Fulham keeper’s stats are so good this season, he has kept more clean sheets than Jack Butland, Fraser Forster and Hart, who are all contention to go to the World Cup with England in the summer.
While Bettinelli is a long-shot to feature for England’s senior team in Russia, the Daily Mail claim that England scouts have made regular checks on Bettinelli this season with a view to a potential call-up if he starts to feature in the Premier League soon.
The colossus player also has a greater saves per goal ratio and distribution accuracy than his international rivals, which shows how his stats blow the experienced trio out of the water.
Now while the Hammers will reportedly move for Bettinelli, whatever league he is in, their only opportunity to successfully capture him will be in the summer if Fulham stay down.
The 25-year-old will stay at Craven Cottage, he’s contracted to 2020 and there’s an option to extend, as he has proven time and time again that he’s passionate about the club he has spent his entire career at.
However the 25-year-old knows what playing in the Premier League can do for his England chances and will leave Fulham if it comes to choosing between them and top-flight football.
There will be plenty of Premier League teams plotting swoops right now in case that situation develops, not just West Ham, and if the Hammers miss out this summer, that won’t ever get his signature.
The Premier League club, who sign him, will be smart enough to tie him down to a long-term deal and not let any club have a sniff.
Therefore the Hammers only have one chance to sign Bettinelli, which will be this summer, or otherwise they’ll miss out completely on the keeper who blows his compatriots out the water with his stats.