Frank McAvennie expects West Ham United to sign Nick Pope this summer
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes West Ham will sign Nick Pope this summer and he will displace Lukasz Fabianski as the number one goalkeeper at the club.
Fabianski has signed a new one-year extension at the London Stadium to stay beyond the summer, and the Hammers are currently in talks to turn Alphonse Areola’s loan deal into a permanent move.
But should a deal not be possible for the French international to stay at the club, it’s believed that Burnley goalkeeper Pope would become the alternative target and McAvennie believes he would ‘walk into West Ham as number one’.
“I think they’ll get him and I think they’ll get him at a good price as well,” he told West Ham Zone.
“There’s no way he’ll want to go down a division. He’s got his money, he’s an England contender. He’s no Joe Hart. Joe Hart was a wonderful talent, and come to resurrect his career at Celtic. Pope’s not got to do that.
“He’ll walk into West Ham as number one, he’s a damn good keeper.”
Decision time
Areola was the number two goalkeeper for the entirety of last season but got the nod in cup competitions, including the excellent run the club had in the Europa League.
Reports that his wages are high and are a stumbling block in any potential permanent deal mean that Pope becomes a viable alternative and if he comes to the club he would expect to be the first-choice goalkeeper.
With the World Cup coming up at the end of the year, his England place will be up for grabs and playing in the Championship with Burnley won’t help him with that.
But with Moyes such a big fan of Fabianski and giving him a new contract in advance of the new season, signing someone to come and displace him seems unlikely.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie destroys Jesse Lingard for leaving West Ham and hopes they don’t re-sign him
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.