By Saikat Mandal

26th Jun, 2022 | 5:10pm

West Ham United secure bargain deal for Alphonse Areola

West Ham are close to securing their second major signing of the summer after the club have agreed a deal for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. 

Sky Sports have reported on 26 June (transfer live blog, 11 am) that the Hammers have agreed a five-year deal worth around £11m, with the official announcement expected within the next 24 hours. 

The Athletic, however, reports on 26 June, that the actual fee agreed is around £8 million. 

Getting a player of his quality at this price is nothing but a bargain, and the credit goes to West Ham for pulling it off. 

Areola was on loan at the east London club from PSG during the 2021-22 season, and he mainly played in the cup games. 

Overall, he managed 17 games in all competitions and impressed heavily in European games last season. 

There was interest in him from Newcastle United, but once the Magpies moved for Nick Pope instead, the door was left open for the Hammers to sign him up. 

With other suitors dithering, it has possibly helped West Ham to ask PSG to reduce their asking price a bit to help the transfer go smoothly. 

Areola kept eight clean sheets last season, including a heroic performance against Sevilla in the Europa League knockout rounds. 

The 29-year-old, who previously had loan spells at Real Madrid and Fulham, is likely to challenge Lukasz Fabianski for the number one spot next season. 

He will become the second major signing of the summer after the Hammers already landed Nayef Aguerd from Rennes.