Alphonse Areola faces uncertain West Ham future as Hammers reportedly line up replacement in Yassine Bounou
West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, according to Spanish outlet AS, which could spell the end of Alphonse Areola’s time in East London.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid shot-stopper has found his starting opportunities limited this season, with David Moyes preferring Polish international Lukasz Fabianski in between the Hammers sticks this season.
The Frenchman has managed only 11 games across all competitions so far this season, with two of them coming in the Premier League.
According to reliable French journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter [24 January], French outfit Lorient made a firm offer for his services.
With the French squad set to be announced in March, and the retirements of Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda, opportunities may not be far from Areola which he felt the best chance of getting them was by moving in January but a move failed to materialise in the end.
With David Moyes and the Hammers set to undergo a stark rebuild, especially in defence in the summer, the club have already lined up a potential replacement.
Spanish outlet AS [13 February] claims that West Ham are challenging Tottenham and Manchester United for the 31-year-old’s signature, with the Moroccan star having a €50 million (£44 million) release clause inserted into his current contract in Seville.
The goalkeeper has been at the top of his game for several seasons and is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in La Liga, as well as enjoying a tremendous World Cup campaign with Morocco on their run to the semi-finals.
If the Hammers’ potential move for Bounou materialises this summer, it could well spell the end of Areola’s time at the London Stadium as the Frenchman could again be facing a spell on the bench rather than getting the first-team opportunities he craves.
The Hammers will be in need of a long-term goalkeeper within the next six months and beyond, especially with Fabianski enduring a difficult campaign and his immediate future up in the air.
The 37-year-old Pole’s contract runs out in 2023, and there have been no reported talks between the player and the club which means the Hammers may well be looking at the next phase in the goalkeeping department, and it seems as if the club aren’t placing their trust in the Frenchman for the foreseeable.
If that is the case, it’s only right Areola looks for game time elsewhere as he is simply too good to be sitting on the bench as a second-choice goalkeeper.