West Ham want Alphonse Areola permanently and are now increasingly confident of signing the goalkeeper despite interest from Newcastle United.
The Hammers made a big move on Monday by snapping up Rennes defender Nayef Aguerd.
Sky Sports report that the fee involved for the Moroccan international was around £30million.
That’s a significant outlay for West Ham and it came at the expense of Newcastle United.
Newcastle allegedly made two approaches to hijack West Ham’s move for Aguerd, but to no avail.
West Ham now want more signings to join Aguerd – and they could fend off Newcastle for another signing.
West Ham want Alphonse Areola permanently
The Hammers had Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan last season, serving mostly as cover for Lukasz Fabianski.
Areola was primarily a cup and Europa League goalkeeper last season, equipping himself well whenever given a chance to shine.
Areola’s loan came to an end this summer but Moyes is determined to bring him back to East London.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has now claimed that West Ham are growing increasingly confident of signing Areola again.
This time the move would be permanent, with West Ham paying £11million to sign Areola full-time – but only if they can sort out personal terms.
Sheth also noted that Newcastle had made a late move to snatch Areola but they will instead be signing Nick Pope from Burnley.
“I’m told today that West Ham United are increasingly confident that they can get a deal done for Alphonse Areola from PSG,” said Sheth. “They continue to work on personal terms with the goalkeeper. Once they’ve agreed those personal terms, they will trigger the £11million option that they hold on Areola.”
“This will be seen as quite a good deal for West Ham as well, because we’re told there was late interest in Areola from Newcastle United. They’ve turned their attention to Nick Pope from Burnley,” he added.
Reports last week suggested that West Ham are growing fearful that Areola would have his head turned by interest from Newcastle.
It now seems that the Hammers have scored another transfer win over Newcastle with Areola looking likely to stay at the London Stadium for good.
Newcastle going for Pope surely signals the end of their chase for Areola, with West Ham now the best option for the French stopper.
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