West Ham United set to complete permanent Alphonse Areola signing imminently
West Ham are “close to completing” the signing of goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on a permanent deal, according to The Athletic.
The Frenchman spent the 2021/22 season on loan at the London Stadium and served as primary keeper in cup and European competition, and a permanent stay has been in the offing for weeks.
While the club had triggered the permanent option in his loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain some time ago and were ready to pay £11million for him, an agreement over personal terms had apparently proven more difficult.
Mega-rich Newcastle had provided late competition, throwing the move into doubt, but Sky Sports’ Darmesh Sheth told the West Ham Way podcast on Tuesday (21 June) there was “increased confidence” that a deal could be done.
That confidence appears to be well founded as The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas says the transfer is now set to be completed “imminently”.
His Wednesday morning report (22 June) said: “A second acquisition seems imminent with West Ham close to finalising the permanent signing of Alphonse Areola.
“West Ham had the option to re-sign the France international on loan for next season or activate the £11 million clause.
“They have decided to do the latter and are close to completing the deal, despite the goalkeeper having late interest from Newcastle United.”
At last
The first two deals of the Hammers’ summer business have proven to be harder work than anyone would have liked but both appear to be set to get over the line.
The Magpies also threw a spanner into the works in the recently-completed £30million move for Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd.
Those at the London Stadium will be sick of hearing that Eddie Howe’s side have an interest in their transfer targets, but if the players end up as Irons that is what ultimately matters.
It has been surprisingly difficult to turn what was a pretty successful loan spell into a permanent move, but once Areola is confirmed attention can finally turn to the attacking areas, with Chelsea’s Armando Broja now the key target.
Although Premier League starter Lukasz Fabianski remains in place he is 37 and is unlikely to be at the club long-term, so at eight years his junior Areola would expect to assume the full-time role sooner rather than later.
He only had a single top flight outing but made 16 cup appearances, including keeping five clean sheets during the historic run to the Europa League semi-final.
It has been more torturous than hoped but the club’s transfer business is now starting to move up a gear, which will increase optimism ready for the August re-start.