Frank McAvennie wants ‘brilliant’ Alphonse Areola to stay at West Ham
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…
Alphonse Areola has been the trusted goalkeeper for West Ham in the Europa League and Frank McAvennie wants his loan to be made permanent.
The Frenchman is still currently contracted to Paris Saint-Germain but the Hammers have a £10million buyout clause in the deal should they wish to sign Areola on a permanent deal this summer [Daily Mail].
While he isn’t playing in the Premier League due to Lukasz Fabianski’s presence at the London Stadium, he has still impressed during his time at the club by helping them to a Europa League semi-final.
Ex-Hammers striker McAvennie believes his former side still need someone to be a backup to the Pole and wants it to be Areola given the small fee they would have to pay.
“He’s been good and they need somebody to do that job,” McAvennie said to West Ham Zone. “They’ve got the boy Martin who can do that and did well when he came in before.
“Areola just needs more first-team games, a lot more games because he’s done brilliant in the Europa League and long may it continue.”
Areola is expected to be in between the sticks again on Thursday when the Irons host Eintracht Frankfurt in the first of two legs as they bid for their spot in the Europa League final to take place in Seville.
The Frenchman could even be the domestic number one next season with Fabianski potentially nearing the end of his career at the top of the game and no one would complain at that.
In other West Ham news, we think Moyes needs to be utilising the “Academy of Football” more when he rotates his side.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.