West Ham have no option to buy Areola after loan deal expires – report
West Ham could keep hold of Alphonse Areola for another season but have no option to buy the goalkeeper according Claret & Hugh.
The French international joined the Hammers on loan from PSG at the start of July on a season long loan with the option to buy believed to be included in the deal.
The Irons would have to undergo negotiations with the Ligue 1 champions if they were to keep hold of the Paris Saint Germain journeyman.
Claret and Hugh were told: “There is no option to buy.
“However, we might all agree to renew for another year. It will be looked at the end of the season.”
Keep him
The Hammers currently have four goalkeepers on their books so losing Areola at the end of the season wouldn’t be a complete catastrophe.
They are two very experienced and reliable professionals in the shape of Darren Randolph and David Martin who could potentially cover the number two role.
However, the pair are both getting on a bit, aged 34 and 36 respectively which could be an issue if Areola does leave the London Stadium.
The 28-year-old is also a formidable back up keeper and the Hammers should do everything within their power to keep hold of him.
He has great experience through vast loan deals as well as playing with the French national team.
With Fabianski getting on and his contract up at the end of the season, Areola could slot straight into the number one role having already spent a season adjusting to life in east London.
The PSG player needs to settle down somewhere at some point having bounced from club to club on a yearly basis and what better place than a hugely ambitious West Ham.
In other Hammers news, Mark Noble opens up on a lack of transfer activity for West Ham in January.