By Anthony Onifade

26th Jan, 2023 | 8:40am

West Ham United give permission for Darren Randolph to join Bournemouth on free transfer

West Ham have given goalkeeper Darren Randolph permission to have a medical with fellow Premier League strugglers Bournemouth, with a free transfer having already been agreed upon, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 35-year-old is into the final six months of his contract at the London Stadium and is currently third choice behind Lukasz Fabianski and Alphonse Areola.

But the South Coast club have agreed to take on the remainder of his contract with the player reportedly [Mark McAdam, Sky Sports, 25 January] heading down to the Vitality Stadium for his medical.

And according to the Mirror [26 January, page 56], the Hammers have handed him permission to have his medical before completing his move with Bournemouth.

Randolph will be the second major exit at the London Stadium, with the club already selling veteran defender Craig Dawson this month who joined Wolves.

Had to go

With Randolph far away from the Hammers first team picture, it was only right they let him leave with only six months left on his current deal.

It’s a move which makes financial sense and one which leaves the door open for the club to invest heavily on their goalkeeping department in the future.

With Polish international Lukasz Fabianski’s future at the club also uncertain, the club will be forced to revamp the shot-stopping position with a younger and fresher option to be their number one for the upcoming future.

Or Moyes could well turn to Areola to become Fabianski’s long-term replacement. If that is the case, then the club would still need to make a reasonable investment, with the Frenchman potentially being the only quality option in the department should Fabianski leave.

It’s sure to be a big summer of revitalisation ahead for the Hammers, but first, they must secure their Premier League status for next season.