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End now in sight for Lukasz Fabianski as West Ham United transfer exit verdict shared amid David Moyes decision on Alphonse Areola
The end may now be in sight for West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski at the London Stadium and David Moyes’ stance on Alphonse Areola will certainly push him further towards the exit.
Having arrived at West Ham from Swansea City in a £7m deal during the summer of 2018, Fabianski had established himself as the regular first-choice option between the sticks at the London Stadium.
And for the best part of his five years in East London, the Polish international was always the undisputed first choice, especially under Moyes’ tutelage going on to make 176 West Ham appearances so far.
With his contract almost expiring at the end of June, Fabianski himself confirmed on 28 May that he would be staying at the London Stadium beyond the summer after a clause in his contract had been triggered by the club.
The Hammers fan-favourite had initially been fearing for his West Ham future with his contract running out in June despite some impressive performances throughout the 2022/23 campaign.
An extension for the veteran shot-stopper Fabianski was not only well-deserved on his part but also fantastic news for West Ham United fans, with the Pole to their superb results in recent seasons especially their European triumph last season.
However, how quickly things turn in a matter of months in football with the senior West Ham man no longer Moyes’ preferred option in the Hammers goal.
Speaking to Canal+ (14 August), Fabianski certainly made his feelings known about Moyes’ stance, saying it was “a massive shock” and “weird” while claiming he should have been treated better, and in response, Moyes said he had made the decision and handled it the best he could [Evening Standard, 18 August].
Things have taken a turn for the worse since then, with the Pole yet to feature at all in the West Ham goal with Frenchman Alphonse Areola now Moyes’ number one goalkeeper and the former Real Madrid shot-stopper has impressed mightily since his re-emergence in the first team picture.
Former Daily Star journalist Paul Brown told GIVEMESPORT (20 September) that the Polish keeper’s recent comments to on losing his spot to won’t “have gone down too well” at the club and a move is on the cards sooner or later with Fabianski “not happy” in being an after-thought.
Brown said: “The way Fabianski has been speaking recently, he clearly has shown a lot of frustration. I’m not sure that will have gone down too well at West Ham.
“It’s something the manager was asked about and addressed quite recently. From Fabianski’s point of view, he’s not happy that he’s no longer number one. I think he wants to be at a club where he is number one. That is a situation that’s going to have to resolve itself somehow throughout the season.
“Moyes has been clear that he wants Areola to be the long-term future, and he’s made that decision. So, it will be difficult for Fabianski to get back in.
“That all points towards a possible move for Fabianski in the next couple of windows because I don’t think he will be content just to sit on the bench all season.”
At 38 years old, it’s unlikely that Fabianski will find another Premier League club willing to take him on to become their first-choice goalkeeper between the sticks.
However, it won’t be a surprise to see the veteran take his chances elsewhere back in his native country seeing as he is reaching the latter years of his career.
Also, with the Hammers ushering in a new and improved era at the London Stadium, Moyes will certainly be pushing his recruitment staff to identify a long-term and burgeoning young talented goalkeeper which leaves Fabianski a certainty to walk through the Rush Green exit door next summer, at the latest.