West Ham United are keen on Alphonse Areola but talks with Paris Saint-Germain have hit a roadblock.
According to Tribal Football, West Ham United are currently locked in negotiations with French giants Paris Saint-Germain for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
The Hammers are currently in the market for a new goalkeeper and have zeroed in on the former French international. Polish veteran Lukas Fabianski is the club’s current first-choice goalkeeper, but at 36, age is catching up with him fast. He has recently suffered from a spate of injuries that have affected his performances on the pitch.
To add to David Moyes’s woes, reserve keeper Darren Randolph has had his share of injury problems. David Moyes side will need to replace Fabianksi sooner rather than later, and it would appear that the wheels are already in motion. In Areola, they will be landing themselves a player with top-level experience and a point to prove.
The 28-year-old came through the system at PSG, eventually going on to don the gloves for the first-team. However, his joy was short-lived as he was not just sent out on loan numerous times but also fell from favour at the Parc des Princes.
Areola spent the 2020/21 campaign at Fulham but faced the ignominy of relegation with the Cottagers. He made 37 appearances in all competitions for the London based side, keeping ten clean sheets. While his numbers may not get one’s pulses racing, he has certainly shown that he could excel behind a better defence. One can argue that Scott Parker’s side would have gone down much earlier had it been for their goalkeeper.
West Ham are seeking to sign the player initially on loan with an option to buy. PSG, however, are having none of it and are insisting on a direct sale. As things stand, talks have reached a standstill, and it remains to be seen what happens next.
Areola, for his part, has family in London and is open to a move to the London Stadium. The switch also makes sense on the professional front, given his situation at PSG. The French giants recently signed Gianluigi Donnarumma, and it isn’t easy to see anyone but the Italian don the number one jersey for the foreseeable future.
A move to West Ham will benefit both parties. An excellent shot-stopper with decent distribution, Areola should provide better insurance at the back in a season that could see the Hammers under the spotlight. Having achieved Europa League qualification, it would be fair to expect David Moyes’ side to come under the microscope this season.
While Fabianski has been a loyal servant to the club, he will eventually need to be moved on. Time will tell whether Areola is the man to take his spot. 28 is still young for a goalkeeper, and the Frenchman still has a few years left in him. Areola has won several major trophies at PSG and Real Madrid and was also part of the French side that won the World Cup in 2018. However, the potential switch to West Ham could be his most pivotal yet.
After all, the Hammers could offer him something that has not been easy to come by elsewhere: regular playtime
Football season will be over before this is sorted !!!!