Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claims West Ham are set to sign on-loan goalkeeper Alphonse Areola permanently. The PSG stopper has been back-up for Lukasz Fabianski, but he has agreed to remain at West Ham.
Areola, 29, joined West Ham on a loan-to-buy deal from the French champions last summer and has since clocked up 18 appearances for the Hammers. He has conceded just 15 goals, keeping eight clean sheets.
But of those 18, only one has come in the Premier League – a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. Remaining back-up to Fabianski, there was doubt that Areola would remain at West Ham. But Di Marzio has said a deal is done.
The Mail claim West Ham have a £10million clause in his loan deal, and Di Marzio states that deal will be struck. The Italian journalist reports Areola will remain at West Ham, with the Hammers ‘convinced’ by the Frenchman.
West Ham set to sign Areola permanently: Excellent business
Firstly, Areola is a bargain at £10million. A goalkeeper that is proven at the highest level, Champions League and with France caps. So, buying a goalkeeper who is still not in his thirties, of his quality, is a good move.
It gives the Hammers a replacement for Fabianski, who is out of contract at the end of the season. It does beg the question, that if West Ham are striking a deal for Areola – it surely suggests the end for Fabianski’s West Ham spell.
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