West Ham receive boost to sign Alphonse Areola permanently amid Nick Pope interest
West Ham have reportedly received a huge boost to sign Alphonse Areola permanently in the summer.
According to Daily Mail, the Hammers have a £10m option to buy the Frenchman who has impressed this season on loan at the London Stadium.
Paris Saint-Germain, his parent club, are willing to contribute to his salary should he move to the London stadium permanently.
David Moyes, meanwhile, is checking on other options, with Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope being one of his preferred targets.
Keep Areola
The report states that Areola’s wages of around £120,000-per-week have represented a stumbling block.
He has a contract at PSG till 2023. The French champions are prepared to effectively subsidise Areola’s salary via a pay-off should he move to the London Stadium permanently.
It makes a lot of sense for the Hammers to keep him, as he is now settled and there will be continuity.
Lukasz Fabianski has mainly featured in the Premier League whereas Areola has featured in cup games.
With Fabianski set to continue, Moyes should look to stick with the same set of goalkeepers especially when other areas needs bolstering.
A long-term replacement for Fabianski is needed, but that is not an immediate priority.
Alternatively, the Hammers can look to secure a loan deal for Areola once again, although PSG probably won’t entertain such a move.
Areola has impressed in the Europa League campaign this season, and he is good enough to challenge Fabianski for the first choice role.
Pope is an experienced Premier League goalkeeper, and he would be an awesome signing for the club as well.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers keen to sign highly-rated defender with £44m release clause.
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