Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Mon 16 March 2026 18:10, UK

Alphonse Areola has suddenly found himself as the backup goalkeeper at West Ham United.

The Frenchman started his Hammers career under David Moyes as a number two, as Lukas Fabianski was given the nod in between the sticks.

He managed to prove himself and eventually sealed his place as the first choice, with the Conference League victory playing its part.

The ex-PSG man had remained in that role until this season started, and Mads Hermansen was brought in as the new number one before he was quickly dropped.

The Dane has now stolen the shirt back, leaving Areola facing an uncertain future at West Ham, and now West Ham Zone has rounded up his contract situation.

What is Alphonse Areola’s contract situation at West Ham?

The Irons have chopped and changed their goalkeeper position this campaign for plenty of different reasons.

Hermansen was chucked out and watched on earlier in the season after several gaffes in the opening days of his London Stadium career.

Areola has managed to put in some positive performances this campaign, but he has recently found himself on the bench in E20.

The man signed from Leicester City has started the last six Premier League games, leaving his teammate to only feature in the FA Cup.

That raises problems as he is on a reported £120,000 per week in East London, equating to a yearly salary in the region of £6.2million.

His contract is also on the table until 2027, giving him at least another year of that wage in claret and blue.

Areola has been linked with a West Ham exit previously, so could face an uncertain situation moving forward.

When could Areola leave West Ham?

It always looked likely to be the end of the road for the 33-year-old when the younger shot stopper was brought in from Leicester.

He had looked to have blown his chance with West Ham, but has been given a new opportunity under Nuno Espirito Santo and has taken it with both hands.

That is unlikely to spell good news for Areola, especially when the summer window opens, and his contract ticks down to 12 months remaining.

West Ham could look to agree a cut-price deal for the keeper for him to agree an exit before the next campaign begins.

The other option is that he departs at the end of his deal on a free transfer and sees things out at the London Stadium.

The decision will ultimately be down to himself and the Hammers, but a departure does feel increasingly likely.