Former Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola will return to the Premier League this week after West Ham United agreed a deal with French giants Paris Saint-Germain, as reported by L’Equipe.
This has been a transfer a long time in coming.
But, after weeks of speculation, it seems West Ham have finally come to an agreement with the perennial Ligue 1 champions about a deal that will see the Paris-born 28-year-old return for a second stab at English football.
Areola’s time at Craven Cottage might have ended in the heartbreak of relegation but, if it wasn’t for his cat-like reflexes, Scott Parker’s Fulham probably wouldn’t have survived as long as they did.
Areola, labelled ‘exceptional’ by Parker, was named the club’s Player of the Year at the end of season awards; a fitting reflection of the impact he made during eight short months in West London.
Whether the three-time France international will have the same impact a few miles down the road at the London Stadium remains to be seen.
Will Alphonse Areola replicate his Fulham heroics at West Ham?
It is believed that Lukasz Fabianski, the long-serving 36-year-old, will remain David Moyes’ first-choice shot-stopper, with Areola set to start life at West Ham on the substitutes’ bench.
Then again, if Fabianski begins next season like he started the last one – the veteran Pole made high-profile mistakes against the likes of Newcastle and Leicester City – it won’t be long before Areola is thrown into the breach.
According to L’Equipe, West Ham have finally reached an agreement with PSG.
Areola will undergo a medical today and could sign on the dotted line before the weekend rolls around, becoming the first new face to join Moyes’ squad since the Hammers secured European qualification in May.
Craig Dawson is the club’s only other signing this summer, having completed a permanent move after a fine loan spell from Watford.
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