According to ExWHUEmployee, imminent West Ham United signing Alphonse Areola will push current start Lukasz Fabianski for the starting position next season, despite the Pole signing a new one-year deal at the club.
After signing defender Nayef Aguerd from Rennes, it looks like the Hammers are continuing to build under David Moyes this summer with rumours suggesting PSG goalkeeper, who spent last season at the East London club, Areola, is set to join the club on a permanent deal.
While Areola mainly featured in the cup competitions for West Ham last season, it is believed by Ex that he will challenge their current starter Fabianski for the number one position next season after he signed a new deal with the club, along with defender Angelo Ogbonna.
He said on the West Ham Way Patreon, “All terms including fee (approximately £10.5m) and personal terms (nearer the higher end of our players but a reduction in his PSG terms) all agreed for Areola… It is said that he will be pushing Fabianski to be the first-choice keeper and at the moment it is all to play for.
“Although not officially announced by the club Ex believes Fabianski (and Ogbonna) have signed one-year deals keeping them at the club for another year.”
TIF thoughts on Ex’s comments…
Despite only playing in the cup competitions for the Irons last season, racking up 10 in the Europa League and just one in the Premier League, the Frenchman only conceded 15 goals in 17 appearances and kept eight clean sheets. Compared to Fabianski, who only kept nine clean sheets in 38 appearances across all competitions, it is easy to see why Moyes would want to bring the 29-year-old in on a permanent deal.
According to Fbref, Areola ranked in the 99th percentile for post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed, which measures the player’s ability to save a shot on his goal. He also ranks in the 99th percentile for goals against, 95th for save percentage with 76.9% and 91st for clean sheet percentage with 41.7%. Whereas, Fabianski only rated in the 80th percentile for post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed and the 48th for save percentage with 69.2%.
Ex suggests the deal could be worth around £10.5m, which feels like an excellent price for a 29-year-old goalkeeper who was once deemed good enough to start for French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Will Areola displace Fabianski?Yes
No
|