Alphonse Areola wanted by Al-Ittihad as West Ham United exit emerges from Saudi Arabia

West Ham United goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is a transfer target for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, according to Arriyadiyah.

The Saudi Arabian website reported on 21 July that Areola is one of three shot-stoppers the Jeddah-based club are interested in, alongside Ederson at Manchester City and Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak.

While Ederson is At-Ittihad's "priority" in this transfer window, Hammers goalkeeper Areola is seen as one of the two clear alternatives alongside Oblak if they are unsuccessful in signing the Brazilian.

Arriyadiyah's report doesn't disclose the fee that the Saudi side would pay the Irons for Areola, but given City are demanding at least £42million for Ederson [Fabrizio Romano], he'd likely cost less.

West Ham could benefit from Alphonse Areola transfer this summer

Of the three goalkeeping options Al-Ittihad are circling in this summer's transfer window, only one hasn't always been the long-term first choice options at their club – and that just happens to be Areola.

Areola may have started 31 of the Hammers' 38 league matches last season, but following a string of injuries and reported interest from Chelsea last season [GiveMeSport, 23 December 2023], his ultimate future could lie away from East London.

With Lukasz Fabianski now 39 and eight years Areola's elder, the Frenchman could have a free run at the number one spot, but with Al-Ittihad of all clubs interested, the decision may rest on Julen Lopetegui.

That's because the Spaniard has reportedly courted Areola's compatriot N'Golo Kante as a potential incoming at the London Stadium, with Al-Ittihad demanding at least £25m for the veteran midfielder [David Ornstein, 19 July].

Should the Saudi side come in for Areola after all, it may be the perfect scenario for Lopetegui to sign Kante for a reduced fee, but the detailed finances of a deal either way remain to be seen.

In other West Ham news, a Premier League forward is close to sealing a £37million move to the London Stadium.

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