Frank McAvennie reacts as West Ham eye move for Alphonse Areola
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 has hailed PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola amid intense speculation linking him with a move to West Ham this summer.
The 28-year-old shot-stopper starred on loan at Fulham last season, picking up their Player of the Year award despite the Cottagers’ relegation back to the Championship.
Such form has attracted interest in the 2018 World Cup winner, with The Athletic just one major news outlet reporting that the Frenchman is closing in on a move to the London Stadium.
Former West Ham forward McAvennie has backed the potential signing of the three-capped international.
“I think he’s got plenty of experience because he was busy last season,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“The pressure was on him and it could have been a lot worse for Fulham if he wasn’t there. He made some great saves.
“It says a lot when the supporters have given the goalkeeper the Player of the Year award. That says everything.
“He’s got to be worth a shout because Lukasz Fabianski’s 36-years-old.
“But it depends what PSG want and if the price is right.“
It certainly looks like a new goalkeeper is high on David Moyes’ agenda this summer, with West Brom shot-stopper Sam Johnstone also high on the club’s list [Football Insider].
It’s a peculiar one because both Johnstone and Areola would likely demand first-team football, but that’s unlikely to be guaranteed with Fabianski showing no signs of a considerable downturn in form.
But, with Europa League football heading to east London, it looks like Moyes wants to bulk out the size of his squad and improve the quality of it, and Areola or Johnstone would do just that.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have tabled a bid for this 23y/o midfielder who scored five Europa League goals last season.
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