By Anthony Onifade

24th Jan, 2023 | 4:40pm

West Ham reject FC Lorient bid for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola

West Ham have rejected a bid from French Ligue 1 outfit FC Lorient to sign goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter.

The 29-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain shotstopper has played second-fiddle for most of the campaign to Lukasz Fabianksi, with David Moyes preferring the Frenchman for cup competitions.

Areola has only managed 11 games across all competitions so far this season, with two of them coming in the Premier League, and the French international has been the subject of interest this month.

Despite his lack of opportunities with the Hammers, Areola was called up by French national team boss Didier Deschamps for the Qatar World Cup, where he was the third-choice goalkeeper behind Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda.

And according to French journalist Toubache-Ter, Lorient submitted a “firm offer” for the 29-year-old’s services this month, but the Hammers want to retain him for the time being.

Taking to his personal Twitter account [24 January], he tweeted: “Firm offer from Lorient to secure the services of Areola.

“West Ham are retaining their keeper, for the time being.”

Keep Him

With Fabianski’s long-term future at the London Stadium uncertain beyond this campaign, the Hammers will need a long-term goalkeeper to take his place, and there may be no better candidate to take the reins than Areola.

The 29-year-old, whenever called upon, has rarely let the club or David Moyes and is indeed a capable man in between the sticks.

In his 29 appearances for the Hammers, in all competitions, he’s managed an impressive 13 clean sheets and only 24 goals conceded which means he’s a reliable and safe hands.

Entering his prime years as a goalkeeper, Areola could well become the club’s go-to number one once Fabianksi departs, and to possibly save themselves spending money on a replacement, they may as well turn to a player they already have on their books.