Lukasz Fabianski will remain West Ham United’s number one goalkeeper next season despite Alphonse Areola’s impending Premier League return, as reported by The Athletic.
Such a claim may take many by surprise.
After all, Fabianski certainly looked every one of his 36 years during a difficult run-in for West Ham last season, making a number of high-profile mistakes as David Moyes’ side fell short of their Champions League ambitions.
And while Areola was far from faultless during a loan spell at Fulham, the France international is far younger than Fabianski at the age of 28 and has already proved that he can be relied on to produce virtuoso performances at Premier League level.
Should West Ham make Alphonse Areola their new number one?
“If France come calling then it will be unbelievable for Alphonse and nothing short of what he deserves,” Fulham boss Scott Parker told FourFourTwo of a man who starred between the sticks of a club not exactly renowned for their defensive resolve.
“A very aggressive keeper, a front-foot keeper who wants to come and command his box, come and collect. He has been very good.”
According to The Athletic, however, Areola is likely to spend much of his time at West Ham sitting on the bench, waiting for an opportunity.
Should Fabianski begin next season like he ended the last one, however, the one-time Villarreal glovesman may not have to wait all that long.
Areola is expected to arrive on loan with an option to buy.
It remains to be seen how much PSG want for a man who has fallen further down the pecking order following Gigi Donnarumma’s arrival, although it is likely to be far less than the £20 million West Brom are demanding for Sam Johnstone.
West Ham failed with a lowball bid for the England international earlier this week – much to the bemusement of many Baggies supporters.
Barcelona’s Norberto Neto has also been linked, although an injury to Marc Andre Ter Stegen means the Brazilian is likely to stay at the Camp Nou.
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