West Ham to welcome Areola replacement after Man City transfer agreement
West Ham have been on the lookout for a new number one goalkeeper this summer.
Alphonse Areola has faced doubts about his future at the London Stadium in recent months, while his main competitor last season, Lukasz Fabianski, has left East London.
Wes Foderingham is an alternative option for Graham Potter, but the 34-year-old was frequently injured last season and is not expected to compete for the starting role.
Areola fails to impress Potter
Despite Areola being eight years younger than Fabianski, the Frenchman has often been forced to sit behind the Pole since he arrived in London.
Signing initially on loan from PSG in 2021, the 32-year-old made just one Premier League appearance but did enough to convince West Ham to sign him permanently.
The following season saw much of the same, however, with Areola given just five games in the league and featuring mainly in the UEFA Conference League.
In the two seasons since, the Paris-born shot-stopper has become West Ham’s first-choice, yet has still faced periods on the bench in favour of Fabianski.
Last season, Areola was dropped for around two months after repeated mistakes with the ball at his feet.
The Frenchman is undoubtedly competent at the basics of goalkeeping, but has struggled to adapt to the game’s movement towards playing out from the back – a key element of Potter’s tactical set-up.
Should Areola remain at the club this summer, he is expected to take a role on the bench behind an incoming goalkeeper as Potter looks to enact his philosophy.
West Ham should move for Stefan Ortega
Manchester City are close to completing a move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford after agreeing a deal for the 22-year-old.
That has allowed a possible exit for Stefan Ortega, and according to Florian Plettenberg (25 July), three Premier League clubs are pushing for the German.
West Ham would be naive not to involve themselves in a possible move for the goalkeeper, who made 13 Premier League appearances for Manchester City last season.
Ortega possesses brilliant reactions and is well-accomplished with the ball at his feet, making him an ideal target for Potter.
The 32-year-old also has just one year left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and would surely be available for a palatable fee.
West Ham look to be on the hunt for market opportunities this summer, and Ortega’s availability should prove to be the very definition.
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