West Ham United’s Adrian could leave the club in 2018.
Adrian of West Ham United
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian has been quoted by the London Evening Standard as saying that he is unhappy with his lack of playing time at the London Stadium.
Spanish shot-stopper Adrian signed for the Hammers on a free transfer from Real Betis back in the summer of 2013, and he has been a regular in East London ever since.
With more than 120 appearances to his name, Adrian has featured prominently over recent years, but he did lose his place to Darren Randolph for a large chunk of last season.
West Ham then brought in Joe Hart over the summer, meaning Adrian has started the campaign as Slaven Bilic’s second-choice goalkeeper, with his only appearances coming in the Carabao Cup.
Now, Adrian has been quoted by the London Evening Standard as saying that he still wants to show Bilic how good he is, but if he doesn’t get any first-team chances, then he will need to find a solution.
Adrian added that he doesn’t feel he has received the opportunities he deserves, and whilst he will keep fighting, he is open to leaving the club in 2018, in either transfer window.
“I just have to keep on fighting, showing the manager that Adrian is still a good ‘keeper,” said Adrian. “And well, if I don’t get enough chances, [I will] try to find the best solution for both sides. Like any player I’m happy on the pitch, playing matches. And at the age I’m at, I think I have to play.”
“If the situation remains as is, there’s a transfer window in December, and after that one, there’s one in the summer. I’ll just have one year left on my contract and we’d have to reach an agreement because it’s clear that I’m not happy with the way things are. I have not received the chances I feel I’ve earned with my performances, but sometimes football is that way and I’ll have to keep on fighting,” he added.
Adrian may have a number of suitors having been a fairly solid goalkeeper for West Ham, and Sky Sports claimed in August that Newcastle United were keen to bring in Adrian, with manager Rafael Benitez hoping to snap up his compatriot.
Whilst Rob Elliot has fared well so far this season, Adrian may be seen as an upgrade on the Irishman, giving Newcastle another option in goal whilst handing the Spaniard first-team football, meaning the Magpies should be plotting to take advantage of Adrian’s situation in January – especially given that Benitez doesn’t seem sold on Karl Darlow.
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