ExWHUemployee has revealed that West Ham United are close to securing the permanent signing of former loaned goalkeeper Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Areola spent last season on loan at the east London outfit and largely spent time as a backup to starting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski but it now looks like the club is going to bring back the Frenchman on a permanent deal this summer.
Ex stated recently on the West Ham Way Patreon page that an agreement is coming on personal terms for the player and therefore this will trigger his permanent signing clause from PSG as the deal reaches its conclusion.
He said: “We are pleased to confirm that we think Areola’s move to the club is very close to being finalised. There seems to be an agreement coming in wages which will enable the club to trigger his permanent signing clause.”
TIF Thoughts on Areola to West Ham...
While the £7.2m-rated goalkeeper might not have had the season he expected at West Ham last season, appearing in 16 cup competition games and only once in the Premier League, a move to the Hammers could be the best thing for him.
The position is stacked at PSG with top-class goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas primed for the majority of appearances. Fabianski is also entering the twilight period of his career at 37 years of age, so just being at 29 gives Areola plenty of time to establish himself as their number one option.
Despite only appearing 17 times across all competitions, Areola managed to pick up eight clean sheets, which happens to be just one less than Fabianski who bagged nine in 38 appearances. Areola was also the starter goalkeeper for their fantastic run to the Europa League semi-final so it is not surprising David Moyes and the West Ham brass want to bring back the player.
Who would you rather start?Areola
Fabianski
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