By Joe Ellis

21st Sep, 2022 | 5:10pm

West Ham want to sign Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou

West Ham United are in the race to sign Sevilla’s number one goalkeeper Yassine Bounou when the January window opens, according to Fichajes.net.

The 31-year-old, described as “one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga for several years, has been an ever-present for the Spanish side and even scored back in the 2020-21 season to earn a draw against Real Valladolid.

The Hammers are thought to be watching the Moroccan international very closely with a view to making a move, potentially in January, if not the end of the season when Lukasz Fabianski will be 38 years of age.

Bounou’s “extraordinary performances” for Sevilla have seen not only West Ham but also Leeds United take an interest in signing him with his contract ending in the summer of 2024.

The 43-time Moroccan international’s diminishing contract may force Sevilla to sell him in the summer which has put both the Hammers and the Whites on red alert.

What about Areola?

Alphonse Areola has been extremely patient to wait behind Lukasz Fabianski for his chance to shine in the Premier League but now it looks like they want to replace him before he’s properly arrived.

The Frenchman has not let West Ham down massively whatsoever in European competition and the club have just spent eight figures on him to make his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain permanent.

West Ham should be looking for someone much younger than the 31-year-old ‘Bono’ (as he is known) to be the backup and challenger to Areola at the London Stadium.

There could be an up-and-coming youngster at Rush Green that might make the grade but he would need the opportunity to impress David Moyes and the senior team.

Bounou is not the answer to whatever future question is being asked and if it ends up with Fabianski sticking around as the backup for another year then so be it.