Insider ExWHUemployee has claimed that West Ham United’s hopes to sign Alphonse Areola this summer have recently had a big boost.
Earlier this week, trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Newcastle United and Burnley had reached an agreement over the transfer of Nick Pope to the Magpies.
Newcastle had actually also been linked with making a move for Areola. But having now almost certainly signed a different goalkeeper, it seems as though West Ham can have a free run at their target.
Ex certainly looks to have seen it that way, as he took to Twitter to write: “This should be good for us regarding Areola.”
Will Alphonse Areola be at West Ham next season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Alphonse Areola and West Ham…
Areola spent last season out on loan with West Ham and proved to be an able deputy between the sticks, as he was predominantly trusted to play in the cup competitions.
Despite being the clear No 2, it seems as though the Hammers are more than happy with the job the Frenchman did. As a result, it does seem as if the Premier League club are keen to make him a permanent signing now.
Following Newcastle’s recent interest, this move may well have been jeopardised. But with the Magpies now set to sign Pope from Burnley instead, it’s easy to see why Ex has regarded that situation as ‘good’ news.
Meanwhile, it has since been revealed (as per Fabrizio Romano) that there has been progress in talks between West Ham and the Frenchman, with an agreement ‘getting closer’ ahead of a potential €12m (£10.3m) deal – so it does appear that Ex’s excitement was well-founded.
Taking it all into account, it really does seem as though Areola is most likely to be back in the claret and blue next term.