ExWHUEmployee has revealed on The West Ham Way that talks between Alphonse Areola and the Hammers have progressed recently.
West Ham decided to hand Areola, a French international, at least one more chance in the Premier League after previously being relegated as Fulham’s number one, but he failed to dislodge Lukasz Fabianski and was restricted to just cup appearances and one outing in the league.
However, that doesn’t appear to have put off West Ham and David Moyes with Fabrizio Romano claiming that the Hammers are set to sign Areola on a permanent basis for a fee in the region of £7.7 million and with Fabianski now 37-years old, they could well be planning for the long-term future.
Presenter ExWHUEmployee has revealed on The West Ham Way that talks between the two parties have now progressed, he said:
Who should be West Ham's number one keeper?
Areola!
Fabianski!
‘Talks have also progressed with Alphonse Areola our French international keeper, with the hope of him completing a permanent move from PSG soon too, although neither are officially done as yet with things still needing conclusion.’
TIF Thoughts on Areola…
Nayef Aguerd already looks set to sign for West Ham, so the London club may soon have themselves two signings.
While Areola will have not likely been pleased with just his 90 minutes of Premier League football this season, for him to sign permanently would probably point towards him being Fabianski’s successor when Moyes finally believes it’s time to move on the 37-year old.
If the reports are accurate that Areola will only cost West Ham just under £8 million then it would also appear to be a no brainer with the French international clearly a talented shot-stopper, ranking in the top six in terms of saves (FBRef) during his stint between the sticks as Fulham’s number one during the 2020/21 campaign.