Italian website TMW report that Alphonse Areola wants to join West Ham on a permanent basis – even though he was the club’s back-up goalkeeper in 2021-22. The Frenchman has a permanent £10million clause in his loan.
Areola, 29, joined West Ham on a loan-to-buy deal from PSG last summer after impressing at Fulham the season beforehand. But he failed to displace Lukasz Fabianski – Areola clocking up 18 outings for the Hammers.
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Indeed, he played all but one of West Ham’s campaign to the Europa League semi-finals. Fabianski is out of contract at the end of the season. It means that Areola might actually be first choice, should he join permanently.
Reports claimed earlier this week that West Ham were closing in on a £10million permanent deal for Areola. Now, TMW say that Areola himself, a 2018 World Cup winner, is keen on joining the Hammers this summer.
Areola wants to join West Ham: £10m is a bargain fee for Frenchman
The goalkeeper is still young in terms of players in his position. A player to have played for the likes of PSG and Real Madrid, he is capable of being one of Europe’s best stoppers – when he is at his peak.
While at Fulham, he showed off his incredible shot-stopping ability as the Cottagers could not deal with the Premier League’s attacks. At West Ham, his organisation – despite coming in and out of the side – has been superb.
For just £10million, Areola is a no-brainer and with the player keen on staying beyond the summer – it is a no-brainer. A player that Mark Noble said has been “fantastic”.
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