James Wood Fan Q&A: Will West Ham sign a new goalkeeper in the summer?
Every week we’ll be asking West Ham fans on Twitter and Facebook for questions that will be answered by our editor, James Wood. You can join in by liking West Ham Zone on Facebook or following James on Twitter, and watching out for weekly mailbag posts.
Lukasz Fabianski has been sensational for West Ham since joining the club in a £7million deal from Swansea City in June 2018.
The big Pole has played 90 times in the Premier League for the Hammers, twice helping to steer us away from relegation. This season, as we battle at the top of the table for a change, he’s been fantastic, keeping nine clean sheets as we sit in fifth.
Fabianski signed a new one-year contract with West Ham just two weeks ago. As he approaches his 36th birthday in April, maybe it’s time the club start to think about a suitable replacement once that year is over.
We asked for your burning questions about the Hammers this week for West Ham Zone editor James Wood to answer. One fan wanted to know if the club are looking at new goalkeepers this summer.
West Ham are looking to strengthen the squad this summer and have been linked with a few Premier League goalkeepers. One name mentioned a lot has been Dean Henderson. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, we are one of several clubs in the top-flight to have expressed an interest in the Manchester United man. He had an excellent season with Sheffield United last year but has grown frustrated by the lack of opportunities at Old Trafford, despite his recent run in the team.
Another keeper linked is Burnley’s Nick Pope. He seems to have always been on the club’s radar but this is less likely to happen. We tried to sign James Tarkowski from Burnley last summer but were priced out of a deal. It appears to be the case again with Pope, as the Clarets have also slapped a £50million price tag on him (Lancs Live).
The cheapest alternative looks to be Sam Johnstone of West Brom. Despite their league position, Johnstone has been one of the best performing keepers in the Premier League this season. He’s made 123 saves to date, the most in the division [WyScout]. Johnstone has conceded just two goals in the Baggies’ last five matches. He has been duly rewarded with an England call-up by Gareth Southgate – albeit due to an injury sustained by Jordan Pickford. The Daily Mail reported our interest in the Englishman, stating he may be more obtainable if they Baggies are to go down.
The club are clearly aiming high this summer. All three of the keepers we’re linked to are away on England duty at the moment, as they continue their fine seasons for their respective clubs. Fabianski still has another season in him yet, but it is important that we start looking now.
In other West Ham news, Kai Corbett was ‘unplayable’ in the u18’s 5-0 thrashing of Norwich City.