West Ham are interested in Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola
West Ham are interested in signing Fulham loan goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, according to reliable insider ExWHUemployee.
The Irons transfer guru revealed the information on The West Ham Way podcast, suggesting Areola’s form has impressed the Irons this year.
The 28-year-old is currently on loan from PSG and Fulham have an option to buy [Sky Sports], which means the French champions are open to selling the shot-stopper.
However, with Fulham likely going down West Ham could have the upper hand when it comes to signing Areola on a permanent basis.
“We do have an interest in Areola, Fulham’s keeper who’s on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. He’s had a decent season, he’s someone else we might look at,” ExWHUemployee said on The West Ham Way podcast.
Fabianski successor?
Lukasz Fabianski has been a brilliant servant for the club but he is now 35 and it is time we planned for his exit.
He perhaps has a year or two left in him at the highest level and capturing a top-class keeper like Areola now would be a sensible move.
The Frenchman has done well in a struggling Fulham side this year, making 102 saves compared to Fabianski’s 89 [Kickest].
And considering Fulham have, on average, faced one shot less per game than West Ham [WhoScored], that is a considerable achievement for Areola.
He has built a good reputation in the game and won silverware with PSG, where he also played in the Champions League.
That experience will be valuable for our squad.
During his time in France he also received big praise from his then-manager Thomas Tuchel, who described Areola as an “exceptional” and “amazing” goalkeeper [PSG.fr].
With PSG keen to sell we could get Areola at a good price too, so we are all for this move going ahead.
In other West Ham news, Thomas Soucek could play big role in bid to sign ‘Extraordinary’ striker.